Howard Safir
Howard Safir (February 24, 1942 – September 11, 2023) was an American law enforcement professional who served as the 39th New York City Police Commissioner from 1996 to 2000 and the 29th New York City Fire Commissioner from 1994 to 1996, under Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Safir later served as Chairman of Safir Intelligence and Security (formerly Vigilant Resources International). Early life and education Safir was born in the Bronx on February 24, 1942. After growing up in the Bronx and Long Island, the son of Russian Jewish immigrant parents (his father was a presser in the garment district, his mother a switchboard operator), Safir followed the example of his famous uncle Louis Weiner (who captured infamous bank robber Willie Sutton), and after graduating from college in 1963, decided to become a lawman. Safir received his B.A. in History and Political Science from Hofstra University in 1963. He attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, receiving certificates in the programs for Senior Managers in Government in 1988 and for National and International Security in 1989. Career Safir began his law enforcement career in 1965 as a special agent assigned to the New York office of the Federal Bureau of