In esclusiva, un pilota del IV Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato di Palermo racconta la cattura di un pericoloso latitante.

“Il mio nome è Maurizio La Rocca, sono un Sostituto Commissario Pilota di elicottero della Polizia di Stato e da circa tre anni anche Istruttore di volo. Da 33 anni presto servizio nei ruoli della Polizia di Stato ed ho iniziato la mia carriera di volo nel lontano 1988 frequentando il corso per il conseguimento del Brevetto Militare di Pilota di Elicottero a bordo di Agusta AB 47G2 presso il 72° Stormo dell’Aeronautica Militare di Frosinone. Oltre a questo sono abilitato su: AB 206, AB 212 ed AW 139, posseggo la qualificazione al volo IFR e notturno e sono qualificato alla radiotelefonia in lingua inglese. Ho effettuato un’esperienza di volo in ambito Frontex in Germania presso la Scuola di Volo della Polizia Federale Tedesca, il corso prevedeva l’abilitazione al volo notturno con l’ausilio di Visori NVG (Night Vision Goggles) volando a bordo di elicottero Aérospatiale Alouette SA 318C. Ad oggi ho totalizzato oltre 4.500 ore di volo.”
“L’ultima cattura di un grosso latitante che abbiamo fatto a Palermo, è stata quella del Boss Salvatore Lo Piccolo, anche se, a seguito dell’operazione, gli arresti eccellenti sono stati quattro. Durante l’operazione condotta dalla Squadra Mobile Sezione Catturandi di Palermo, il contributo dell’elicottero del IV Reparto Volo e del suo equipaggio è stato determinante, riducendo molti fattori di rischio della missione. Durante un’attività del genere l’elicottero è un grosso deterrente. Il latitante che si sente in trappola cerca di scappare con qualunque mezzo. Nel blitz che ha condotto alla cattura del boss Lo Piccolo sono state sequestrate parecchie armi, le quali, avrebbero potuto sostenere una vera e propria battaglia contro le Forze di Polizia. Ma la sola presenza dell’elicottero li ha scoraggiati ad usarle, costringendoli ad arrendersi più facilmente. L’azione è scattata in pieno giorno, intorno alle 09.00 del mattino, contrariamente alla quasi totalità delle azioni di Polizia che generalmente avvengono alle prime luci dell’alba. Tutto questo per agevolare la visione ai piloti dell’elicottero che partecipa alle operazioni di cattura dei criminali ed evitare loro la fuga per la campagna. In quell’occasione per la piega che stavano prendendo le indagini dei colleghi della Catturandi, si è arrivati alla decisione di compiere l’irruzione a quell’ora. La sicurezza che i latitanti fossero li dentro si è avuta solo quando sono stati visti entrare nel casolare. L’obbiettivo era sotto controllo ovviamente già da tempo da parte dei colleghi della Squadra Mobile. C’era tutto un apparato predisposto intorno alla casa e si aspettava solamente la certezza che ci fossero i Lo Piccolo, i quali sono arrivati proprio quella mattina. Durante il blitz, sono stati impegnati una trentina di poliziotti, più l’ausilio dal cielo di un AB 212 del nostro Reparto Volo.
L’equipaggio è stato formato sul momento, quando siamo stati allertati per la missione. Arrivato un collega della Squadra Mobile, un nostro uomo di collegamento che aveva già volato con noi in diverse occasioni, ci ha spiegato cosa dovevamo fare e cosa cercavamo. Non era, dunque, una missione già preparata da tempo. Anche perché qualche mese prima c’era stato un primo tentativo di blitz effettuato nella zona di Borgonuovo, in città, ma con esito negativo. Anche se in quella operazione furono fatti degli arresti, trattandosi, comunque, di latitanti. Non fu trovato il boss Lo Piccolo, ma quello fu il primo passo verso la cattura del boss.
Nel covo furono trovati tanti indizi che i mafiosi tentarono di distruggere, ma che, grazie allo splendido lavoro della Polizia Scientifica, furono ricostruiti e determinanti poi per attivare tutta una serie di indagini mirate, che poi hanno portato all’arresto dei Lo Piccolo.
Quella mattina abbiamo fatto un briefing, anche molto veloce, anche perché, i nostri colleghi erano già in viaggio via terra in direzione del covo dei presunti latitanti. Una delle difficoltà era quella di arrivare contemporaneamente da terra e dall’aria. L’eventuale nostro arrivo anche un minuto prima della Sezione Catturandi, poteva comportare la fuga dei malviventi. Ma, grazie al nostro addestramento, siamo riusciti a decollare in tempo utile. Arrivati in zona, abbiamo avuto qualche problema con le comunicazioni. Infatti, la zona non ci consentiva una buona copertura radio, quindi ci siamo aiutati anche con i cellulari. Nonostante le difficoltà che un’azione di questo tipo può comportare, siamo riusciti a fare questa irruzione contemporaneamente.
Dopo avere individuato un pezzo di terreno erboso che si prestava all’atterraggio, ho prima sbarcato i colleghi che avevo a bordo, i miei del Reparto e quello della Squadra Mobile. Subito dopo ho fatto decollare il mio AB 212 per fornire un’adeguata copertura aerea. Una volta accerchiati, i latitanti che si trovavano all’interno del casolare, si sono arresi e sono usciti senza opporre resistenza. Anche in quel frangente il nostro elicottero, con il suo rumore, è stato un fondamentale mezzo deterrente. Avevamo l’obiettivo sempre davanti, anche se avessero tentato la fuga, li avremmo inseguiti e catturati. L’azione è durata circa un’ora, dopo la quale, una volta presi, i latitanti sono stati caricati sui furgoni della Squadra Mobile e, scortati anche dal nostro AB 212, sono stati portati proprio al IV Reparto Volo di Boccadifalco.
Tutti gli “ospiti” eccellenti, dopo la cattura vengono sempre portati qui. Un posto ottimale, isolato, più sorvegliato, lontano da occhi indiscreti e che si presta a tutte le fasi successive all’arresto, come il foto segnalamento della Polizia Scientifica. In quell’occasione l’AB 212 si è dimostrata una macchina ideale, soprattutto per la sua capacità di atterraggio fuori campo, grazie al suo carrello a pattini, grazie al fatto che, essendo un bipala, è ideale nella fase di hovering, fase in cui, possiamo sbarcare più velocemente i nostri uomini.
Anche in quella occasione, uomini e mezzi del IV Reparto Volo di Palermo hanno contribuito alla cattura di un grosso latitante. Estirpare un criminale da dove può nuocere, portando a termine la nostra missione, è per l'intero gruppo, motivo di orgoglio e gratificazione.”

Gli autori desiderano ringraziare per la loro disponibilità e la preziosa collaborazione l'Ufficio Stampa della Polizia di Stato, il Dirigente del IV Reparto Volo, Vice Questore Aggiunto Pilota Dr.ssa Valeria Cangelosi, il Sostituto Commissario Pilota Maurizio La Rocca e tutto il personale del 4° Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato.
Foto e testo di Alessandro Palantrani e Francesco Militello Mirto
Marzo 2015

Englis translation

The aircraft of the Polizia di Stato (State Police) are engaged daily in activities of public safety, public order, judicial police, search and rescue at sea and mountains, security escort, transport and connection, health transport, road surveillance.
Thanks to their efficiency and manageability, they are always ready to take action in any condition, to ensure the safety of the population.
A 360 degree activity that requires great professionalism, commitment, experience, but above all, so much harmony with your team.
A compact assembly, ready for take-off in a few minutes from the moment the request is received, for any situation requiring their use.
The Servizio Aereo della Polizia di Stato (State Police Air Service), founded in 1971, currently has 11 Reparti Volo (Flight Units), suitably distributed to ensure rapid intervention throughout the national territory.
The advantages of a privileged observation position, the speed of intervention and the possibility of operating in inaccessible areas, have led to a significant increase in the activities assigned to the aviation sector, ranging from special police operations, territory control services, from public order to road surveillance, from search and rescue to health transport, from the service of emergency stocks to aerial video cameras.
In the latter field of application, the use of high-performance stabilized cameras, allows to transmit, live, to the ground footage of excellent quality, allowing the authorities in charge, better service management and excellent coordination of ground staff in public order services.

IV Reparto Volo of Palermo.

The IV Reparto Volo of Palermo was established in August 1974, fourth in order of opening after Pratica di Mare, Milano Malpensa and Bologna.
The Unit, since its establishment, has lived and fought alongside those who, have sacrificed their lives for legality, becoming heroes of this city. To their memory, they were entitled: the sports club "Vice Questore Boris Giuliano" which operated for years before its closure and the entire Reparto Volo to the policeman, Ninni Cassarà, Beppe Montana and Roberto Antiochia.
The IV Reaparto volo, as well as the other 10 Reparti Volo of the Polizia di Stato, is hierarchically dependent on the Dipartimento della Pubblica Sicurezza (Department of Public Safety) and in particular on the Direzione Centrale (Central Directorate) for Highway patrol, Railway, Communications and Special Departments.
The territorial competence of the Unit is over the entire Sicily region and is divided into three Sections, the Operations, Training and Flight Safety Section, which manages the operational and flight activity, the Fixed Flight Crews and Line Efficiency Section, that manages the maintenance part, then the scaling of aircraft and operations on helicopters and finally, the General Affairs Section that manages administratively all the staff of the Unit.
Currently, the Unit has a staff of eleven pilots, including the Manager, and 22 specialists.

The mission.

The typology of the missions carried out has always been directed, as a matter of priority, to the activity of judicial police in support of the investigative organs of the Questura (Police Station) of Palermo and of the other Questure of the island, contributing to survey activities and providing top-down support to the capture of all fugitives in recent decades.
The extreme generosity of the Unit, has meant that always one of the most intense and recurring activities, was the rescue carried out in the mountains and at the sea.
On the latter activity, in recent years, have been stipulated at central level, specific protocols with the staff of the CNSAS - Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico (National Alpine Rescue and Speleological Corps) regarding the mountain rescue, and with the personnel of the Polizia di Stato divers, as far as sea rescue is concerned.
Thanks to the training with such components, the Reparto Volo of Palermo has reached higher levels of competence, which have allowed to obtain, on the operational level, results of great weight, successfully and safely carrying out numerous search and rescue missions.
In 2014, the 4° Reparto Volo carried out 368 missions, which result in as many as 378 hours of flight, of these 127 (109 hours of flight) were operational missions carried out for: land control, police, public order, traffic surveillance, transport and security escort, cinematographic aerial shots, while 241 were training missions for a total of 269 hours of flight.
Respectively, the three flight lines belonging to the 4° Reparto were engaged with:
AB 206 - 37 missions (28 flight hours)
AB 212 - 161 missions (148 flight hours)
AW 139 - 170 missions (202 flight hours)
For 2015, the data refer to the period from 1 January to 17 March, in just under three months were carried out 73 missions that produced 80 flight hours, the AB 212 carried out 35 missions (operational and training), the AW 139 carried out 38.

The helicopters.

The AB 206 line, the oldest of the tern, is in the process of being decommissioned, and in fact, the last AB 206 (PS-34) in charge of the Unit, will be transferred to the I Reparto Volo of Pratica di Mare at the end of the inspection of 300 hours.
Line AB 212 (PS-95 and PS-106), and finally, the latest arrivals, two AW 139 (PS-111 and PS-115), were purchased with the European External Borders Fund.
The first AW 139, was delivered on 30 October 2013, while the second AW 139, is usually placed at the V Reparto Volo of Reggio Calabria for the needs of the three units of Palermo, Reggio Calabria and Bari.
During the year 2014 the ratings of all air crew on the AW 139 were completed.
The AB 212 is a twin-engine multi-role helicopter equipped with two 2,350 horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6T turbines used for most operational missions. It is able to carry a maximum of fifteen people including the crew which usually consists of two pilots and two specialists, has a total length of over 17 meters, maximum takeoff weight of ,5.080 kg maximum speed 223 km/h of 120 knots (about)and a range of about two and a half hours. The instrumentation IFR (instrumental Flight Rules) allows its use at night and in any environmental and atmospheric conditions.
The AW 139 is a state-of-the-art twin-engine multi-role helicopter produced by AgustaWestland, which mounts two Pratt & Whitney PT6C turbines67C, each providing about 1,700 SHP (horsepower to the mast). Thanks to its engines and aerodynamics it is able to provide very high performance, allowing to reach, under certain conditions, the VNE speed (Velocity Never Exceed) of 167 KTS (nodes). It bears a maximum take-off weight of 6,800 kg and has a flight range of about three hours at a cruising speed of 130 kts. The avionics, also this of last generation is of type Full Glass Cockpit and concurs to the pilots a visualization and optimal management of all the apparatuses of edge (motors, various systems and instruments for the navigation). The Italian Polizia di stato purchased eight examples using 50% of the funds provided by the European Union Agency for the Protection of the External Borders "Frontex". The helicopters have been distributed as follows: three examples near the 1° Reparto Volo of Pratica di Mare; two at the 5° Reparto Volo of Reggio Calabria. one at the 6° Reparto Volo of Palermo; One at the 7° Reparto Volo of Fenosu (Oristano), and one at the 7° Reparto Volo of Bari. Currently they are mainly used for the training of crews (pilots and specialists) and for missions to combat illegal immigration. The helicopter, however, lends itself to a much wider use, for all police missions, search and rescue on the sea and in the mountains with the use of the winch and barycentric hook. A very important equipment, especially for police services, is the FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera installed under the bow of the helicopter and managed by a system operator through the control console placed in the cabin compartment behind the pilots. This stabilized lap camera is equipped with a powerful zoom that allows you to see very small details from large distances and works in the field of visible and infrared allowing excellent shooting even during night flights. All images can be recorded and transmitted live to the Questure or other police offices equipped with receiving equipment. The use of FLIR is extremely useful in the management of Public Order missions.
The AW 139, like all other helicopters, performs normal and steep take-offs and landings, or taxiing on wheels when there is a runway available, but also, by virtue of the high performance of its turboengine, belongs to the type of helicopter that can take-off and approach in category A. This type of take-off and approach is designed to be flown along trajectories that, if properly followed, in the event of failure to either engine the helicopter, depending on the time of the emergency, it can either land safely at the place from which it started, or if it has passed a certain critical point, to continue the flight with only one engine in operation. To train pilots to cope with such emergencies, the AW 139 is equipped with a function called EIO (One Engine Inoperative) Training that allows to simulate the failure condition of an engine during any phase of the flight perfectly reproducing all its effects (aerodynamics, instrument indications, noise, etc.).
Although the AW 139 is certified for single pilot flight, normally the police service crew consists of two pilots and two specialists.
The AW 139 of the Polizia di Stato can be configured with a number of seats in the passenger compartment variable up to 15 seats or in health transport version with two stretchers. It is equipped with a sophisticated and reliable system of stabilization and autopilot interfaced with the FMS (Flight Management System) that makes the machine is certified for IFR instrument flight as well as for night flight with the help of NVG (Night Vision Goggles). During night flights, in particular for the services of the Judicial Police, it is of great utility the lighthouse Night Sun installed on the left flank of the helicopter that with a power of well 800 Watt allows to illuminate to day the objective object of attention.
The maintenance of the helicopters AB 206 and AB 212 of 1° and 2° Technical Level (with some limits and distinction) is carried out by the specialized staff of the Reparto Volo of Palermo. The maintenance of the AW 139 is currently carried out by the AgustaWestland company because the purchase contract provides both for the training of aircrew (pilots and specialists) at the AgustaWestland Training Academy, is technical assistance intended as inspection and supply of spare parts.
For maintenance work the IV Reparto employs 21 specialists, led by a Technical Officer, who are qualified to operate on all lines, carrying out daily inspections on the AW 139, on the AB 206 inspections up to 300 hours (inclusive) while on the AB 212 inspections up to 1,200 hours (excluded).

Become a pilot of AW 139.

Each flight mission is normally carried out by a crew of two pilots, who are responsible for the conduct of the aircraft and two specialists who have the technical management of the airborne systems. Of course, the entire crew is engaged in air observation and communications necessary for the pursuit of the specific objective assigned.
The Police operating flight, through a specific inter-ministerial agreement, is subject to ad hoc regulations, such as not to limit or jeopardize the success of operations.
Thanks to the high level of preparation of the crews, highly specialized and highly qualified and the particular configuration of the aircraft, the use is ensured in all conditions of time and place within 24 hours.
At present 526 Polizia di Stato are employed in the air sector, including 174 pilots and 352 specialists. Among these there is a rate of female staff in number of six among pilots and 10 among specialists.
To join a Reparto Volo you must first become a policeman through a public competition. The winners of the competition are awarded to the various educational institutions, located in different Italian regions, for the attendance of the training course. At the end of the training course they are sent to the various units and specialties, according to the needs of the locations in the territory. After acquiring the necessary experience and having expanded your professional baggage you can join these units.
The basic training of seafaring personnel, similar to that of other Armed Forces, is provided by the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force). At its schools in Frosinone, Latina and Caserta, the attendants receive respectively the license of helicopter pilot, aircraft pilot and multi-purpose specialist of aircraft and helicopter. The advanced courses for the attainment of the successive ratings, that allow the staff to operate with the aircraft in endowment to the Dipartimento della Pubblica Sicurezza, are held both at the Training and Standardization Center on the fly of the Polizia di stato of Pratica di Mare, and at companies that manufacture aircraft.
To become operational pilots on the AW 139 it is necessary to be already pilots in police service and enabled on other helicopters. Then you will have to attend a theoretical course for the knowledge of the machine lasting two weeks in "full immersion" at the Academy of the company AgustaWestland located in Sesto Calende (VA). Passed the theoretical exam will move to the practical phase that involves the execution of fourteen hours of flight simulator training (Full Flight Simulator) at the same Academy. Only at the end of this training that provides in particular for emergency management will be able to access the actual flight phase on the helicopter for a total of about six hours of flight with instructor and finally with examiner of the company AgustaWestland. For pilots already qualified for IFR instrument flight a further training session with final examination for that type of flight shall be conducted. After the above mentioned "training" phases the pilot obtains the qualification on the machine, but is not yet ready for police duties and to be able to carry out operational missions as Commander will have to fly on board AW 139 as a second pilot for 40 or 70 hours of flight depending on professional background, at the end of which, with a pilot instructor of the Police will have to attend a theoretical course - practical with final examination at the end of which will achieve the qualification to PIOP - Pronto Impiego Operativo di Polizia (Ready Operational Employment of Police).

Exclusively, a pilot of the IV Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato of Palermo tells the capture of a dangerous fugitive.

"My name is Maurizio La Rocca, I am a Sostituto Commissario Pilota (Deputy Helicopter Pilot Commissioner) of the Polizia di Stato and for about three years also Flight Instructor. For 33 years I was soon serving in the roles of the Polizia di Stato and I started my flight career in 1988, attending the course for the achievement of the Brevetto Militare di Pilota di Elicottero (Military Helicopter Pilot License) on board of Agusta AB 47G2 at the 72° Stormo (Wing) of the Aeronautica Militare of Frosinone. In addition to this I am qualified on: AB 206, AB 212 and AW 139, I possess the qualification to flight IFR and night and I am qualified to the radiotelephony in English language. I carried out a flight experience in the Frontex area in Germany at the Flight School of the German Federal Police, the course provided the night flight rating with the help of NVG (Night Vision Goggles) visors flying aboard the helicopter Aérospatiale Alouette SA 318C. So far, I’ve had over 4,500 hours of flight."
"The last capture of a large fugitive we made in Palermo, was that of Boss Salvatore Lo Piccolo, although, as a result of the operation, excellent arrests were four. During the operation conducted by the Squadra Mobile Sezione Catturandi of Palermo (Palermo Mobile Capture Section Team), the contribution of the helicopter of the IV Reparto Volo and its crew was decisive, reducing many risk factors of the mission. During an activity like this the helicopter is a big deterrent. The fugitive who feels trapped tries to escape by any means. In the raid that led to the capture of the boss Lo Piccolo were seized several weapons, which could have supported a real battle against the Police Force. But the mere presence of the helicopter discouraged them from using them, forcing them to surrender more easily. The action took place in broad daylight, around 09.00 in the morning, contrary to almost all the police actions that usually take place at the first light of dawn. All this to facilitate the vision to the pilots of the helicopter that participates in the operations of capture of the criminals and avoid them escape for the campaign. On that occasion, due to the turn that the investigations of the colleagues of the Catturandi were taking, it was decided to make the raid at that time. The assurance that the fugitives were in there was only given when they were seen entering the cottage. The target was obviously under control for some time by colleagues of the Squadra Mobile (Mobile Team). There was a whole set up around the house and he only expected the certainty that there were the Lo Piccolo, who arrived that morning. During the raid, about thirty policemen were engaged, plus the help from the sky of an AB 212 of our Reparto Volo.
The crew was trained in the moment, when we were alerted to the mission. Arrived a colleague of the Squadra Mobile, a man of ours who had already flown with us on several occasions, explained what we had to do and what we were looking for. It was not, therefore, a mission already prepared for some time. Also because a few months earlier there had been a first attempt of blitz made in the area of Borgonuovo, in the city, but with negative results. Although in that operation arrests were made, being, however, fugitives. Boss Lo Piccolo was not found, but that was the first step towards capturing the boss.
In the lair were found many clues that the mafiosi tried to destroy, but that, thanks to the splendid work of the Polizia Scientifica (Scientific Police), were rebuilt and decisive then to activate a whole series of targeted investigations, which then led to the arrest of Lo Piccolo.
That morning we made a briefing, also very fast, also because, our colleagues were already traveling by land in the direction of the lair of the alleged fugitives. One of the difficulties was arriving simultaneously from the ground and from the air. Our eventual arrival even a minute before the Sezione Catturandi, could lead to the escape of the criminals. But thanks to our training, we were able to take off in time. When we got to the area, we had some communication issues. In fact, the area did not allow us good radio coverage, so we also helped with cell phones. Despite the difficulties that such an action can entail, we have managed to make this raid at the same time.
After locating a piece of grass that lent itself to landing, I first disembarked the colleagues I had on board, my Unit and that of the Squadra Mobile. Soon after I took off my AB 212 to provide adequate air cover. Once surrounded, the fugitives who were inside the cottage, surrendered and left without resistance. Even at that juncture our helicopter, with its noise, was a fundamental deterrent. Even if they tried to escape, we would have chased and captured them. The action lasted about an hour, after which, once taken, the fugitives were loaded on the vans of the Squadra Mobile and, escorted also by our AB 212, were taken to the IV Reparto Volo of Boccadifalco.
All the excellent "guests" after the capture are always brought here. An optimal place, isolated, more guarded, away from prying eyes and that lends itself to all the phases after the arrest, like the photo signaling of the Polizia Scientifica. On that occasion, the AB 212 proved to be an ideal machine, especially for its ability to land off-field, thanks to its roller carriage, thanks to the fact that, being a two-bladed, it is ideal in the hovering phase, a stage where we can land our men faster.
Also on that occasion, men and equipment of the IV Reparto Volo of Palermo have contributed to the capture of a large fugitive. Eradicating a criminal from where he can harm, carrying out our mission, is for the entire group, a source of pride and gratification."

This picture shows an AW 139 of the 4° Reparto Volo, with a patrol of the Polizia Stradale, which flies over the highway section of the A 29 where the massacre of Capaci occurred, the commemorative steles placed on the place recall the murder of Judge Giovanni Falcone, of his wife Francesca Morvillo and the three agents of the escort Schifani, Dicillo and Montinaro.

The Manager of the IV Reparto Volo of the Palermo Polizia di Stato.

The Vice Questore Aggiunto (Deputy Assistant Commissioner), Dr. Valeria Cangelosi, began her career in the Police in 1988, attending the 72° Training Course at the Higher Institute of Police with the qualification of Vice Commisario (Deputy Commissioner).
She was promoted Commissario (Commissioner) in 1990, attended in the years 1991/1992, the 25° Corso Basico per Pilota di Elicottero (Basic Course for Helicopter Pilot) at the 72° Stormo of the Aeronautica Militare of Frosinone, at the end of which, she obtained the pilot’s license on the helicopter AB 47G2 and, Above all, it is the second woman patented at the 72° Stormo.
At the end of the course, she was transferred to the III Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato of Bologna with the role of Direttore della Sezione Operazioni Addestramento e Sicurezza Volo (Director of Operations Training and Flight Safety).
Also in the same year (1992), he attends the 36° Course of habilitation to the pilotage of AB 206 near the CASV of Pratica di Mare.
In 1993 he followed the 17° Course air emergency clearance at the CASV of Pratica di Mare.
Year 1994, began his long career within the IV Reparto Volo of the Polizia di Stato at Palermo, initially, with the post of Director of the Direttore della Sezione Affari Generali (General Affairs Section) and, at a later time, as Direttore della Sezione Operazioni Addestramento e Sicurezza Volo (Director of Operations Training and Flight Safety).
The next step is the AB 212 pilot rating.
Promoted to Vice Questore Aggiunto (Assistant Quaestor) of the Polizia di Stato in 1998, in April 2000, she received a solemn commendation for a rescue operation in the mountains.
In 2003 he attends the 3° course of qualification for "NBC defence personnel" of 2° level at the inter-branch school for biological nuclear defence in Rieti.
In 2008 he attended the Crew Resource Management (FRONTEX) course in Craintal (Germany).
Since July 2010 he has been in charge of the Reparto Volo of the Polizia di Stato of Palermo.
In 2014 he attended the AW 139 helicopter qualification course at the AgustaWestland Training Academy in Sesto Calende in Varese: theoretical cycle (Type Training Ground Course), simulator (Full Flight Simulator Type Rating Course), practical cycle.
The Vice Questore Aggiunto Pilot Dr.ssa Valeria Cangelosi, currently engaged in the frequency of the XXX Course of Advanced formation near the School of Improvement for the Police Forces, has, to the assets, 1.200 hours of flight on various helicopters.