Nicholas Milazzo

Nicholas Milazzo
Chief Training & Tactics Officer

Nicholas Milazzo is a retired Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) veteran with more than 30 years of distinguished law enforcement experience. Throughout his career, he served in a variety of specialized assignments, including narcotics, gang enforcement, and tactical operations within the LAPD’s elite Metropolitan Division.

As a member of Metropolitan Division, Nicholas participated in executive protection details for heads of state, crowd-control operations during civil disturbances, and proactive crime-suppression initiatives in high-crime areas. He later earned selection to the Metropolitan Division K-9 Platoon, where he served as a K-9 handler for five years, specializing in the apprehension of violent felony suspects.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2012, Nicholas held leadership positions in several specialized units, including the Newton and Hollenbeck Gang Units, where he supervised gang enforcement operations and investigative teams. Following an assignment in a surveillance unit, he returned to Metropolitan Division and concluded his LAPD career with the world-renowned LAPD SWAT team.

Serving as SWAT Sergeant under the distinguished call sign “20D,” Nicholas was responsible for overseeing tactical operations, hostage rescue training, and high-stress firearms exercises. Throughout his tenure, he supervised approximately 250 critical incidents as either a Primary Tactical Supervisor or Crisis Negotiation Sergeant. In these roles, he directed tactical strategies during barricade and hostage situations, provided operational oversight, and ensured the successful execution of complex missions. As the senior sergeant within the unit, he served as a vital link between command staff and operators, helping drive mission success while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, and public safety.