It is undoubtedly difficult for an Italian to create and implement projects in an industry that is dominated by professionals trained in the best British or US forces. Regardless of the high quality of the training undertaken, it is not uncommon for the Italian operator to encounter prejudice in an industry where the rules are laid by the Anglo-American hegemony. However, the exceptional Italian sensitivity towards socio-cultural awareness has it made possible for Italian operators and advisors to carve an important niche within important Private Military & Security companies all over the world. Gianpiero Spinelli, like other excellent Italians, has shown that the Italian genius is not limited to food and wine, fashion and art, “…but also excels in security”. As Gianpiero Spinelli put it: “Where other people are at a loss for words, we Italians can talk hours on end”.
Gianpiero was either the founder or actively involved in most of these projects, and in any case, he was a vital force in their creation. Most of the projects listed below were directly managed by Spinelli with the vital support of excellent collaborators both Italians and not. They succeeded in to carrying out complex projects born as brilliant and innovative ideas.
Italian Air Force 36th Formation Base – Gioia del Colle (BA), Italy. Defense Group ‘Force Protection’ training in operational procedures.
Italian Air Force 36th Formation Base – Gioia del Colle (BA), Italy. Exchange training with Israeli advisors on Force Protection Anti-Terrorism measures. Project authorized by the Air Fleet Command (Comando Squadra Aerea, CSA).
US Department of Defense – Iraqi Ministry of Electricity – DynCorp International LLC, Mulla Abdulla Power Station, Kirkuk (Iraq). Iraqi security forces training as part of the projects of the US Department of Defense in Iraq.
Police Forces and Armed Force ‘Anti-Terrorism Awareness’, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Training programme in raising awareness on Anti-Terrorism within the government preventive and repressive measures in the event of terrorist threats within the Homeland Security.
BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais) – Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State, ‘Experiential interchange on Anti-Terrorism’, Palacio da Caveira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Experiential interchange on issues related to contrasting terrorism, between the BOPE of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State and International Advisors.
Brazilian Army, Gericinò Training Centre, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Training course in Close Protection operations. Programme aimed at the work reintegration for discharged personnel of the Brazilian Army Special Forces, particularly in the private security sector. The programme was endorsed by the Brazilian Army and was aimed at the placement of highly trained personnel to avoid their affiliation with drug trafficking organizations for lack of a job. At the end of the training, the trained personnel were hired by important Brazilian corporations to work not only in Brazil, but also abroad. For example, in Angola, where the Brazilian presence in the extractive industry was, and still is, very strong.
Rio de Janeiro State Public Security Secretariat, ‘Silvio Terra’ Civil Police Academy. COAT (Anti-Terrorism Operations Training), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Interforce Anti-Terrorism Training Programme, authorised by Rio de Janeiro State Public Security Secretariat with order number 07/2006 and given by the ‘Silvio Terra’ Civil Police Academy in Rio de Janeiro.
The COAT was strongly requested not only by the Brazilian institutions, but also endorsed by the US Department of State, through the support of the US ATAP (Anti-Terrorism Assistance Programme), in view of the 2006 Pan American Games in Rio.
2006-2015 Brazil Police Force and Armed Forces Mentor through C.E.T.T.A. ltda (Centro Especial de Treinamento Tatico Avançado), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). He acted as mentor since the beginning of the company. This last provided assistance and tactical training to Brazilian public safety forces. The company had a major role within Brazilian institutions as it provided innovative training and, thanks to Gianpiero Spinelli, paved the way to anti-terrorism training, until the death of the company’s CEO, Geremias de Jesus Junior, pupil and collaborator of Gianpiero Spinelli, in October 2015. The number of projects undertaken by C.E.T.T.A. ltda is so high that they can hardly fit in this space. Suffice to say that Gianpiero Spinelli along with international collaborators succeeded in providing high quality mentoring that made the company stand out nationally. Projects were undertaken both nationally and overseas with an accurate management of the operations, even from afar. Below there are some of the most important projects in terms of innovation and advancement made towards ensuring the safety of the country.
Brazilian Army, Paratroopers Brigade, Vila Militar, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Anti and Counter Terrorism procedures Training of the Paratroopers Brigade, particularly the soldiers of the 20th B-log.
CORE (Coordenadoria de Recursos Especiais) Rio de Janeiro State Civil Police and GARRA (Grupo Armado de Repressão a Roubos e Assaltos) São Paulo State Civil Police, Gericinò Training Centre of the Brazilian Army, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Training programme on progression techniques for patrols within urban environments deemed at critically high risk and anti and counter terrorism procedures.
Public Safety Secretariat of São Paulo State, Civil Police, GARRA (Grupo Armado de Repressão a Roubos e Assaltos) SBC, São Paulo (Brasile). Training programme on police operations within urban environments deemed at critically high risk anti and counter internal terrorism procedures. The programme was developed after the attacks against the institutions of São Paulo State in May 2006 at the hands of the criminal organisation PCC.
DEIC (Departamento de investigações criminais), GER (Grupo Especial de Resgate), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo (Brazil). Training programme on police operations within urban environments deemed at critically high risk anti and counter internal terrorism procedures. The programme was attended by special forces of the Civil Police, such as GER (Grupo Especial de Resgate), GARRA (Grupo Armado de Repressão a Roubos e Assaltos), GOE (Grupo de Operações Especiais) and a small percentage of the Military Police.
Brazilian Navy, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Training programme on anti-terrorism procedures at the 1st Naval District, Security Division of the Brazilian Navy.
Brazilian Navy, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Training programme on anti and counter terrorism procedures at the Naval Battalion of the Brazilian Navy (Rio de Janeiro).
Naval Corps Fusiliers of the Brazilian Army, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Training programme on Anti & Counter Maritime Terrorism, Anti-piracy Training to Cia.pol Police Reinforcement Troops of the Naval Corps Fusiliers of the Brazilian Army, engaged in the ONU international operation UNIFIL in Lebanon.
2012-2015
Public Security Secretariat of Mato Grosso do Sul State. Assistance to the Mato Grosso do Sul State (http://www.unisite.ms.gov.br/unisite/sites/escolagov/index.php?templat=vis&site=172&id_comp=1878&id_reg=222311&voltar=home&site_reg=172&id_comp_orig=1878), under direct supervision of the Public Security Secretariat. Assistance on the retraining of Police Forces. The State of Mato Grosso do Sul is a state at critical risk for drug trafficking as it is considered one of the main hubs of international drugs trafficking for all transits from Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Paraguay. During those three years, hundreds of policemen were trained to very high technical standards in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Public Security Secretariat of the Amazon, Manaus (Brazil). In view of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, about 300 men among civil and police force and private sector were trained in Anti-Terrorism prevention procedures to support CDC (Civil Disturbance Control) operations in planning and preventing Anti-Terrorism (Manaus), Amazon.
2013-2014 Azul Airlines, Campinas, São Paulo, (Brazil). Training programme on the IPP (Inflight Passenger Profiling) Anti-Terrorism procedures in view of the FIFA World Cup 2014.
2011-2014 CRISS (Consortium for Research on Intelligence and Security Services), Rome, (Italy). Spinelli and a few important Italian businesses set up the CRISS within and under direct control of the Rome Link Campus University (http://consorziocriss.it/index.html). CRISS is an Italian consortium specialising in the high tech, security and intelligence sectors. CRISS operates in five main areas: Territorial Security, Intelligence, Security Devices, Systems and Infrastructures, Training and Support Systems. About 10 Defence and Technology sector companies joined the CRISS.
2011-2014 Combat Life Saver (CLS) programme (Italy). Gianpiero’s experience in Iraq and other international crisis scenarios convince him of the important role that Tactical Medicine plays in the training of PDSs. With this aim in mind, Gianpiero sets up CLS training programmes within STAM srl and supported by Roy Visona and Max Scudeler (US Army Paramedics). The programmes provide skills in dealing with the most common medical emergencies in order to stabilise the wounded before medical help can be administered or at least until evacuation in Care under fire situations. Between 2011 and 2014, about 24 Tactical Medicine training courses were organised in Italy. The training programmes helped to promote awareness on this essential subject in an unprecedented way.
2011-2014 Link Campus University, Rome, (Italy). First HEAT course (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) addressed to the students of the MA in Development Economy and International Cooperation of the Link Campus University in Rome. Gianpiero Spinelli was directly involved in this project from 2011 to 2014.
2011-2014 Link Campus University, Rome, (Italy). Introduction to Anti-drug trafficking studies with an emphasis on new international drug trafficking routes from producing countries in South America. The module was part of the MA in Intelligence and Security.
2012 – 2014 Italian Ministry of Foreign affairs – LPRD (Libyan Program for Reintegration and Development) – SudgestAid, Tripoli (Libya). Pilot project to reduce armament in Libya within a framework of development, cooperation and participation.
After an important intelligence operation in Libya carried out by Italian information and security bodies on site following the disappearance of thousands of Manpads missiles, Sam 7 model, from the national arsenals during the anti Gheddafi revolution, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decrees to continue with the reconstruction efforts, emergency and security operations to safeguard Italian citizens and Italian interests in war zones and high level humanitarian risk. The decision is sanctioned with the Ministerial Decree No 2001/1 dated 18 January 2012 and extended until 31 December 2012, after specific request of the European Union and the USA. In this context, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed to fund operations to aid the peace process and development in Libya. The Roman based SudgestAid Scarl is selected. Despite the long term experience of the Roman company in development assistance operations, participation and cooperation assistance in post war zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon, they had always been supported by the Italian Army contingent. However, this was not possible in a country such as Libya where the Italian presence was non-existent. Due to the very high risk level and instability of the country, SudgestAid requested the help of Gianpiero Spinelli and STAM to develop a programme of intervention about a pilot project aimed to reduce illegal armament in Libya. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves the project and is sent immediately to the Italian Embassy in Libya and intelligence and security bodies appointed to supervise and manage the financial side of the project. SudgestAid and Gianpiero Spinelli and STAM personnel begin planning detailed field operations, first in Italy and then in Libya, making several assessments and exchanging knowledge with the Italian Embassy and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, after a few months, the intelligence and security services holds a meeting with SudgestAid and STAM to inform them that the project to reduce armament and illegal armament cannot go ahead due to obvious security issues. As a consequence, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decides to readjust the aim of the project to train a new tourist police force to be in charge of the security of Sabratha and Cyrene archaeological sites. SudgestAid and STAM are in charge of recruiting 134 former militians put forward by the LPRD (Libyan Program for Reintegration and Development), the former Wac (Warrios Affair Commission). The project immediately gains consensus. Unfortunately, due to the violence escalation in the country the project is suspended abruptly in May 2014. Soon after, the Italian Embassy is closed down and the ambassador is forced to leave the country in June 2014. Gianpiero Spinelli and STAM personnel took on multiple roles as PSDs to SudgestAid personnel, mentors and intelligence officers during the project.
Link Campus University, Rome, (Italy). In November 2013, Gianpiero Spinelli and STAM advisors, with the support of the Link Campus University arrange the visit of one of the most important international experts on urban areas combat and anti-drug trafficking, Major Riccardo De Souza Soares of Bope (Special Police Operations Battalion of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State). Major Soares of the Caveira 100 Battalion is one of the founder of the aforementioned battalion and is considered a legend in the fight against drug trafficking. Major Soares and his collaborator Geremias de Jesus Junior shared typical tactics of the Brazilian police during their Italian stay. Moreover, they are main guest speakers in an important seminar organised by the Link Campus University titled ‘A new criminal alliance: the Ndrangheta and South American drug cartels. An evaluation of the national security threat.’ Among the main speakers, there were key figures of the Italian government (http://www.unilink.it/comunicato-stampa-dellagenzia/) Link Campus University – CRISS – GradaWorld, Rome, (Italy).
In January 2014, Gianpiero Spinelli, along with STAM advisors and the support of Link Campus University in Rome, manages to bring over to Link Campus University ‘GardaWorld’, a world giant in the security sector (http://www.unilink.it/experiencing-worldwide-security/) where they hold a face to face meeting to draw up a collaboration agreement. GardaWorld was represented at the meeting by the COO and President Dr Oliver Westmacott and the Manager and Europe Director Dr Ranchon Didier. The Italian side was represented by the top management of the Link Campus University and CRISS Consortium, key figures from the business, politics, armed forces and intelligence sectors. The meeting was made possible thanks to a liaison initiated in May 2013 by Gianpiero Spinelli and STAM advisors after a meeting held with GardaWorld at their headquarters in Brussels.
Link Campus University – CRISS – DynCorp International LLC, Rome, (Italy). In October 2014, after about a year of negotiation, Gianpiero Spinelli convinces the security and defence giant DynCorp International LLC (for whom he had worked in the past as PSD Contractor in Iraq) to send two of their best advisors to organise the first training course on Elicitation techniques at the Link Campus University in Rome. The course held at the Link Campus University saw a high turnout of several specialists from both the government and the private sector and members of the Italian intelligence. Click here to read the article.
2016 Civil Police DEMACRO (Judicial Police Department of Marco São Paulo, Brazil), Centro de Inteligência policial. ‘Molecular’ terrorist attack carried out all over the world, the ongoing ISIS threats against the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and a real presence of caliphate cells in Brazil prompted the São Paulo Civil Police to ask the technical support of Gianpiero Spinelli. Gianpiero Spinelli contributed by providing advice and training courses available via an innovative e-learning platform on the very sensitive subjects of ‘molecular’ terrorism and affiliation intelligence. DEMACRO is at the forefront of the organisation involving not only the Civil Police intelligence centres, but also a few Army intelligence officers and special operations group headed by GARRA SBC (this last is considered the best special operations group in Brazil). Gianpiero Spinelli delivers the training at British Consulate, which kindly allowed DEMACRO to use one of their lecture halls. These activities take place alongside with anti-terrorism investigations that eventually lead to the arrest of some members of terrorist cells linked to ISIS, who were ready to attack the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Click here to read the article.