IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Police Chief Al Hogle

Age: 63
Home: Sarasota

Previous municipal experience:
Sarasota Police Department, rising from the rank of detective to captain, 1970-1998
Sarasota County commissioner, 1998-2001
Bradenton police chief, 2001-2002
Longboat Key police chief, 2002-present

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral science from the University of South Florida and a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Bio:
Longboat Key Police Chief Albert “Al” Hogle was born in Gulfport, Miss., but he has spent most of his life in the Sarasota area.

Hogle is a 1966 graduate of Sarasota High School who went on to serve from 1967 to 1969 in the U.S. Air Force. In 1970, he was hired by the Sarasota Police Department where he rose from the rank of detective to captain before he retired at age 50 in 1998 to begin a three-year stint on the Sarasota City Commission. He was the city’s mayor during his last year in office.

Hogle resigned his Sarasota seat in October 2001 to become police chief in Bradenton. Just 15 months later, Hogle decided to leave for Longboat Key, where Police Chief John Kintz had resigned after Town Manager Bruce St. Denis discovered a department that was lacking in morale. In 2007, when Hogle announced his candidacy for Sarasota County sheriff (which he later withdrew for personal reasons), St. Denis credited Hogle with revitalizing the Longboat Key Police Department.

Hogle was appointed acting town manager in September, although the Longboat Key Town Commission removed him from the position in October out of concerns about his handling of allegations that Planning Zoning & Building Director Monica Simpson created a hostile work environment.

Hogle continues to serve as police chief but submitted an application for the position of Sarasota County administrator in October. On his resume, he listed numerous accomplishments with the town including preparing and assisting in the management of negotiations for a signed Police Benevolent Association union contract, the reduction of officer and civilian staff without a reduction of service levels, and the preparation of budget documents to develop more effective department management in a downsized budget.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].