Name: Chris Nocco
Age: 36
Residence: Trinity
Occupation: Pasco County Sheriff
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: first time running for office
Office being sought: Pasco County Sheriff
What separates you from your competitors(s)?
For over a year, I have been able to demonstrate my experience and leadership as the Sheriff of Pasco. During this time, the Sheriff’s Office has successfully dealt with national criminal incidents and a major natural disaster. We implemented proactive enforcement through Intelligence Led Policing and have been targeting the prescription pill and drug epidemic in our county.
My experience is diversified to include my front line law enforcement experience in Philadelphia, Fairfax County, VA, and Broward County. My formal education includes a master’s degree in public administration. As the deputy chief of staff for the Speaker of the Florida House, I oversaw criminal justice, domestic security, transportation, and economic development policy. Understanding that success, we are building the Sheriff’s Office to be a partner with community groups and businesses to develop lasting and meaningful relationships to make Pasco better.
As your Sheriff, you can expect your Sheriff’s Office to be on the cutting edge, always looking for ways to improve. We will be truthful and transparent in our actions and we will remember that we serve you.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?
Since being appointed as Sheriff, we have made meaningful changes to improve our agency and community. We have raised the morale of our members by investing in them and listening to their ideas. We are targeting drug issues while enhancing our drug awareness programs for our youth. We have partnered with our community to establish Celebrate Recovery in our jail, to start the recovery process for those dealing with addiction.
In the next six months we will look internally and mainstream our operations to become more effective in protecting and serving our citizens. One way is upgrading technology. We have a plan to advance our computer systems which will provide us a tremendous advantage in catching criminals and enhance efficiencies in our administrative duties. We will continue to build upon our success with intelligence led policing for we are not afraid to break the mold of traditional law enforcement to protect your family.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?
We are building a world-class law enforcement agency. This means we will be a leader and model in providing service and protection for you and your family. You deserve the best Sheriff’s Office possible.
This Sheriff’s Office will be known for proactive enforcement and customer service. We will continue to utilize cutting edge technology and techniques to protect our most vulnerable: our children and seniors. As a father of small children, I know how critical this is.
The Sheriff’s Office will also be a partner with community groups in enhancing opportunities for our youth and we will be in the forefront of crime prevention. For Pasco to flourish economically, we need to build a reputation that Pasco is a safe place to raise a family, invest in business, or retire. We will make this a reality.
We have developed a strategic plan which you can view at the Pasco Sheriff’s website: www.pascosheriff.com.
List your political endorsements: Police Benevolent Association, Pasco Board of Realtors, National Rifle Association
Name: Kim Bogart
Age: no response
Residence: New Port Richey
Contact information: Kim Bogart
Occupation: law enforcement and corrections consultant
Political affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: none
Office being sought: Pasco County Sheriff
What separates you from your competitors(s)?
EXPERIENCE: Unlike my opponent who had a combined total of eight years of law enforcement experience when he was appointed Sheriff by Governor Scott, my exclusive qualification is my 31 years in the law enforcement profession coupled with many years of experience evaluating public safety agencies.
COMMITMENT: Unlike my opponent who moved to Pasco County 3 1/2 years ago, I am a 28-year resident. My commitment to Pasco runs deep. My wife and I own businesses here. My daughter and son-in-law are raising our three Granddaughters here. I am very active in many community service organizations. As a community leader and public servant, I’ve experienced the best in our area and I understand the challenges facing us.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Unlike my opponent who worked for three nationally- and state-accredited Florida agencies but does not have the commitment to achieve this same level of professionalism for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, I will enter the accreditation process immediately upon taking office. Accreditation is not a luxury, it’s a necessity to ensure accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?
In my first 180 days as Sheriff, the public will see a change in the culture of the Sheriff’s Office. The political atmosphere permeating the Sheriff’s Office will subside allowing the deputies’ to focus solely on public safety and crime prevention.
A minimum of six Sheriff’s Advisory Councils across the county, will be actively meeting monthly with members of the Sheriff’s Office to discuss, plan, and implement solutions to issues identified in their communities. A tracking process to ensure victim follow-up will be in place. I will partner with the Pasco-Hernando Community College and develop a regimented “Academy Track Program” as part of a recruitment program.
Lastly, I will work with Pasco’s Public Safety Coordinating Council to initiate a Re-Entry Task Force comprised of service providers and share holders to develop a comprehensive Inmate Re-Entry Program focused on reducing the recidivism rate at the Jail.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?
Within four years, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office will be a progressive law enforcement agency and a leader in Florida with a culture of “constantly improving”. The agency will be fully accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
The public will have three years of comprehensive annual reports providing detailed budgetary and performance information from each department of the Sheriff’s Office. The annual reports will highlight crime trends, crime prevention efforts, and overall agency performance. Twelve Sheriff’s Advisory Councils will be meeting with members of the Sheriff’s Office monthly throughout the county ensuring crime, citizen input, and solutions are addressed immediately. A comprehensive inmate re-entry program at the jail will be fully functional with measurable results.
We have developed a strategic plan which you can view at the Pasco Sheriff’s website: www.pascosheriff.com.
List your political endorsements: early endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 824.
