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Kim Bogart applies to be New Port Richey police chief

 
Published March 2, 2013

NEW PORT RICHEY — Kim Bogart, a former captain who made two high-profile bids for Pasco County sheriff, wants to be the next New Port Richey police chief.

Bogart is one of four candidates to apply, even though the city has not officially posted the job. Police Chief James Steffens, who announced his resignation last week, will leave at the end of this month to become the chief forensic investigator with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

"It's a great opportunity to run a great department. I am committed to Pasco County, and New Port Richey is my home," said Bogart, 60. "I have a strong resume, and I'll bring a wealth of knowledge to the department, should I be selected.

Bogart said he would also be interested in serving as an interim chief while the City Council seeks a permanent replacement for Steffens. Interim City Manager Susan Dillinger said she could take up to a week to make a decision on whom to tap as interim chief. She said she will consider several candidates.

Dillinger said she has spoken with Bogart and is impressed with his credentials.

Bogart joined the Tampa Police Department as a patrol officer in 1975, then was hired as a captain at the Pasco County Sheriff's Office a decade later. In 2000, he was one of many command staff members fired when Bob White became sheriff and installed his own leadership. He became a law enforcement consultant and served as executive director of the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, which reviews Florida jails. In 2009, he served as the interim chief of the Osceola County jail.

He ran two vigorous campaigns as a Democrat for sheriff, coming about 4,000 votes shy of unseating White in 2008. Last year he went on the attack against Sheriff Chris Nocco, whom he painted as inexperienced but politically connected. Bogart questioned the effectiveness of the agriculture program at the jail and alleged that sluggish detectives failed to arrest a rape suspect who then went on to strike again.

Nocco beat Bogart by a 2-to-1 ratio.

Also applying for the New Port Richey police chief job are Gulfport police Lt. Joshua Stone, former New York City Police Department Lt. Michael Sanicola and Kevin Costello, a security consultant and part-time officer with the Plattekill Police Department in New York.