Pasco Sheriff | Democratic primary

Winner: Kim Bogart

The two Democrats vying for sheriff are both recent Republicans who switched parties shortly before filing to run. Each cites a strong dissatisfaction with the current administration’s fiscal policies and approach to fighting crime.

	Kim Bogart, 56	Jeff Deremer, 38
Experience	In his 29 years in law enforcement, Bogart has been a Tampa patrol officer, undercover officer, detective, police academy instructor and bomb squad technician. He spent 16 years as a commander in the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and now serves as executive director of the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission.	Deremer has worked for 15 years as a probation and parole officer with the Florida Department of Corrections in Pasco County. Eight years ago, he was appointed as a police liaison to the Sheriff’s Office, working with many divisions including criminal investigations, fugitive apprehensions, vice and narcotics.
Why he is the best candidate in a crowded field	“Not one other candidate has supervised hundreds of employees ... as I have, of course other than the current sheriff who inherited that.” “I have worked in nearly all areas of the Sheriff’s Office other than corrections. I have either done the job, supervised it or evaluated it.” “I have demonstrated leadership ability, and ... at this point in time probably one of the most important things that that agency needs is to rally the organization back together to work as a team.”	“I’m the guy that was raised here in the county, and I can’t remember a time that we had a sheriff from Pasco County. I had a choice to get to different state field offices and I chose to stay here in Pasco County.” “I have more actual experience in actual criminal investigations than Sheriff White or Mr. Bogart.” “I know what it’s like to have to pull your weapon. I can judge people, and I can make decisions.”
First priority if elected	He says along with the violent crime problem, the work force at the Sheriff’s Office is “without direction.” He wants to make changes that would include realigning patrol zones to reflect population growth and distribute work flow more efficiently.	He plans to put more deputies on patrol. “The only way to reduce crime rates in our county is to put more deputies on the streets.” He says adding deputies will deter crime, improve response times and allow more time for investigations.
How he will combat crime with a shrinking budget	He cites “plenty of evidence” of inefficient spending, including a liberal personal use policy of agency cars (since rescinded). “I will identify the waste, stop it and focus it where it needs to be used ... in patrol.”	He proposes across-the-board cuts in raises for all Sheriff’s Office administrators. He would fine criminals and probation violators. Such a policy would require County Commission approval and judges’ cooperation.
Assets	Home, bank accounts, investments, time share interest.	Home.
Liabilities	Home equity loan.	Bank loan, car loan.
Net worth	$936,265	$389,300
Source of income	Consulting business, veterinary practice.	Salary, ownership in construction business.
Personal	He and his wife of 16 years, Patricia Weston-Bogart, have two children.	He and his wife, Helen, married in 2000 and have two daughters.
Web site	Yes	Yes
E-mail	Yes	Yes

About the job: Pasco County’s sheriff serves a four-year term and oversees nearly 1,200 employees. The Sheriff’s Office is the law enforcement agency for unincorporated Pasco County. It also provides court security, handles child abuse investigations and runs the county’s two jails. The sheriff will be paid $147,364 next year.