WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. July 31, 2003: A former high-ranking NYPD official who was head of security operations for Major League Baseball will become Westchester County’s new Commissioner of Public Safety.

Thomas Belfiore, 46, is currently head of the New York City office of SafirRosetti, a security consulting and business intelligence firm. He is a 20-year NYC police veteran who last held the rank of Deputy Chief and Commanding Officer in the First Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

 “He’s a world-class guy for a world-class county,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano in announcing Belfiore’s appointment at a press conference on Wednesday.

Belfiore, who starts work Aug. 25 in the $147,552 a year job, will replace former Commissioner Louis D’Aliso as head of the 280-member department.

Belfiore said he was honored to be chosen to lead a department which has had a reputation for service, professionalism and integrity, and he thanked the County Executive for this opportunity.

 “I promise to serve the people of Westchester County and do all I can to ensure their safety and security in these challenging times,’’ he said. “I also look forward to working with the Board of Legislators, the District Attorney and county commissioners as well as every local police chief and the outstanding men and women of the Department of Public Safety.’’

During his 20 years in the NYPD, Belfiore held leadership positions in training, patrol, internal investigations, administration and policy making. He was commanding officer of the NYPD Police Academy, precinct commander and commanding officer of a joint internal investigations task force. He was also in charge of the NYPD’s “Compstat and Trafficstat” units, which analyze traffic and crime statistics to devise creative policing solutions.

As Commanding Officer of the New York City Police Academy, he was instrumental in updating training and curriculum including introducing a more hands-on approach to firearms and tactical patrol training.

His experience at the NYC police academy will be a major plus for Westchester, which, under Spano’s leadership, has already expanded the types of training available to recruits and other police departments.

“My intention is to use my experience to build on what is already being offered at the police academy,’’ said Belfiore.

As Commanding Officer of the 19^th Precinct in New York City’s upper East Side, Belfiore’s team of nearly 300 uniformed officers and civilians were responsible for providing police services to more than 200,000 people. During his tenure, there was a significant drop in felony crimes and an enhanced quality of life.

In January of 2001, Belfiore retired from the NYPD to become Director of Security Operations for Major League Baseball where he worked to help baseball beef up security at its stadiums to deal with post 9-11 realities. The following year, he joined his former commissioner at the NYPD, Howard Safir, as head of the New York City Office of SafirRosetti as a security and anti-terrorism consultant to private industry.

“His experience can only enhance our anti-terrorism efforts, and help us to improve our state of preparedness,’’ said Spano.  

Spano praised Belfiore not only for his professionalism, but for his bravery.

“This is a man who on seven occasions has received department recognition for acts of bravery and intelligent policing,’’ said the County Executive. “We are proud to have him on board.’’

Belfiore was chosen from among several candidates in a nationwide search to replace Commissioner D’Aliso who retired May 26 after seven years as commissioner.

Belfiore has a bachelor’s degree in police science and a master’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He lives in Brewster with his wife, Dana, and their two children, Blaise and Mark.