City Manager Debbie L. Manns has appointed former Tarpon Springs Police Chief Robert P. Kochen to be the next Chief of Police for the New Port Richey Police Department. 

City of New Port Richey Appoints New Police Chief

Chief Kochen has over thirty-two years of police experience, and has successfully led for over twelve years (as Chief) a highly respected and an accredited police agency. “He is a proven leader, and additionally brings a “unique set of administrative skills” developed while being the chief assistant to the City Manager of Tarpon Springs for over seven years. These administrative skills will also be an asset to the City of New Port Richey,” stated City Manager Debbie L. Manns.

Chief Kochen has been a local resident of the New Port Richey area for over twenty-seven years and as such has extensive community familiarity and awareness of current issues. Moreover, Chief Kochen has established strong professional relationships with many of the Tampa Bay Area Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, which will enhance New Port Richey’s professional partnerships and collaboration among all of the law enforcement agencies. 

City Manager Manns added, “Chief Kochen is a driven professional who will hit the ground running because he has not only acclimated himself to the people, processes and issues, but because he has the rare ability to establish vision cast goals.  It is truly my honor and pleasure to welcome him as a key member of the city’s management team.”

Chief Kochen will be sworn in as Chief of Police on February 7, 2023 at the New Port Richey City Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Chief Kochen will be replacing current Police Chief Kim Bogart who served the city for nearly ten years and officially announced his retirement on December 29, 2022.