Police Chief Robert Kochen

Chief Kochen became a sworn law enforcement officer in the State of Florida in 1988 and has over thirty-five years of law enforcement experience. The Chief has over twenty-three years of police command-level experience, with fourteen of those years serving as Chief of Police.

Chief Kochen served the Tarpon Springs Police Department for over thirty-two years and was the second- longest serving Chief of Police in that agency’s history, with a total of twelve years at the helm. The Chief successfully obtained the Tarpon Springs Police Department's first accreditation status with the State of Florida and maintained that status for over ten years as chief of the department. During his tenure with the Tarpon Springs Police Department, the Chief also served as Chief Assistant to the City Manager for over seven years.

Chief Kochen's core strengths are built on and encompass team building, leadership, strategic planning, police accreditation, government budgeting, emergency management and community policing.

After retiring from the Tarpon Springs Police Department, Chief Kochen was appointed as Chief of Police for the New Port Richey Police Department by City Manager Debbie Manns on January 27, 2023. The New Port Richey Police Department is very close to becoming an accredited police agency with the State of Florida. It has upgraded its technology by integrating its CAD/RMS systems with the county, began a Life Improvement Facilitation Team (LIFT) that works with those in need, upgraded and redesigned its patrol fleet vehicles, and continues to fulfill its mission of delivering quality police services to the community.

Chief Kochen holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Tampa College and a master's degree  from Florida Metropolitan University. He graduated from the Southern Police Institute’s 400-hour Command Officers Development Course at the University of Louisville and is a graduate of Florida’s Chief’s Executive Seminar. He firmly believes that one can never stop learning.

Chief Kochen is a lifetime member of the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Kochen is a past president of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association and holds a lifetime membership there.

Chief Kochen has strong family values and has been married to his wife, Michelle, for over thirty years. Together, they have two adult children. The Chief and his wife are longtime residents of the New Port Richey area.

 

Contact Chief Kochen

Robert Kochen
Office: Police Department
Title: Police Chief
Phone: (727) 841-4550
Email: KochenR@cityofnewportrichey.org