Kim Bogart tapped as New Port Richey police chief

NEW PORT RICHEY — Kim Bogart has been appointed the city's police chief after serving in the role on an interim basis since March.

Bogart, 61, made two high-profile runs for Pasco County sheriff but lost each time to a better-funded incumbent.

He joined the Tampa Police Department as a patrol officer in 1975, then was hired as a captain at the Pasco 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 2008, he ran against White, coming about 4,000 votes shy of winning. Last year he challenged Sheriff Chris Nocco but lost by a 2-to-1 margin.

He also served as the interim chief of the Osceola County jail and taught at Pasco-Hernando Community College's Law Enforcement Academy.

Bogart will be sworn in at 1:15 p.m. Thursday at the New Port Richey Police Department on Adams Street.