Tarpon Springs Police Chief Retires; New Chief Sworn In

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — After a 32-year career with the Tarpon Springs Police Department, Police Chief Robert Kochen officially retired Thursday.

In his honor, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, arranged for a flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol.

At the Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Police Maj. Jeff Young was sworn in as the department's new police chief and Kochen was congratulated for his more than three decades of service to the department and the professional legacy he leads behind.

Kochen also received letters of appreciation from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls.

"When I started here I was a 22-year-old kid wearing a badge and doing a job. Next thing you know, I'm chief of police," Kochen said. "It's been really rewarding, fulfilling. The best thing for me was being able to lead the finest men and women there are. But the sun's setting on me. Now it's time to focus on Chief Young."

Kochen said he's just a phone call away if needed but joked that any calls should be made before 5 p.m.

"Hopefully, those 2 a.m. calls are behind me," he said.

Among those expressing their thanks to Kochen at the commission meeting was Teresa Kondek, the wife of Officer Charles Kondek, who was fatally shot in the line of duty Dec. 21, 2014, while responding to a noise complaint. A 17-year veteran, the 45-year-old police officer was the father of six children.

"I want to thank you for being such a great chief for Charlie," Teresa Kondek said. "And on behalf of my family, I want to thank you for being there for us from the beginning. We're eternally grateful for everything you did for us. We can't thank you enough for being a great chief and great friend to us when we needed you."

Kochen began his career as a patrol officer with the Tarpon Springs police in 1989. He went on to be appointed a field training officer, detective, sergeant and captain before becoming the 30th police chief in the past 100 years on July 6, 2010.

Young said he was just 11 years old in 1978 when his father retired from the New York City Fire Department and moved his family from Staten Island, New York, to Tarpon Springs. He graduated from Tarpon High School in 1984 and spent four years in the Air Force as a security police officer. He married his wife, Patty while in the Air Force, and they raised three children in Tarpon Springs.

On Tuesday, he was sworn in as police chief by Tarpon Springs Mayor Chris Alahouzos in the same building where he once attended school.

“I am very proud and very pleased to say that I have known Jeff from the time he was in high school,” Alahouzos said. “You are a product of Tarpon Springs and I’m very, very glad to see you be our next chief.”

"I am honored and humbled with the trust you've bestowed on me," Young said. "Standing in front of this building, being promoted chief of police nearly 40 years after I first stepped foot in Tarpon Springs, it's surreal."

Young acknowledged that he takes the helm of the police department during a time when police departments face public scrutiny in the wake of George Floyd's death and the community faces its greatest challenge combating the coronavirus pandemic.

"COVID-19 has shown us we are all vulnerable," he said. "But I make the promise that we, the members of the Tarpon Springs Police Department, will always be there to help. Working together with our community partners, we can overcome any adversities including COVID, racism and bigotry of any kind."

Addressing Kochen, Young said, "You set the benchmark which I believe I was measured."

"He led us through our darkest hour with the loss of our fallen brother, Charles Kondek," Young said. "No chief wants to ever face this tragedy and no family like the Kondeks should ever have to go through a tragedy like this. Your leadership throughout that whole crisis was incredible, and I know very much appreciated by all of us."