Kim S. Bogart, the current director of Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, will act as jail chief for at least the next three months, with the possibility of his contract being extended on a monthly basis for up to a total of six months while Osceola County commissioners look to fill his position permanently.

“I believe that I will be able to, in that short period of time that I’ll be here, to make a significant improvement in the way we operate,” Bogart told the media Thursday, calling for support from the local community. “Give us a chance to work together within this facility, and let’s see what we can do as a group.”

Bogart’s appointment, named by Acting County Manager Don Fisher, was approved by the County Commission Monday.

Bogart admitted the job would be challenging, given his short-term status, the uphill battle he would have to regain the confidence of the community and the challenge of his employees working past the “embarrassment” of the bad press the jail has received recently.

“I would be arrogant to say otherwise; it is going to be incredibly challenging,” Bogart said.

He said he hesitated before taking the job, but was admittedly one who had taken on challenges in his career.

“It was put on the table as an opportunity for me to be able to do something to help in this corrections arena I’m in. I thought it was a good thing to do,” he said.

Bogart emphasized his different management style, which he said involved collaboration, hard work and setting high standards and living up to those standards himself.

“I don’t think that any leader had to rule with an iron hand. I don’t think it’s the time for that. I think it’s a time for getting the issues on the table. I’m reasonable and I think that’s something that’s important,” he said, adding later: “It’s about building teams. It’s not about just rolling over or letting people get away with things and do sloppy work. It’s about taking pride in what you do.”

Bogart said that while morale was “like smoke” and hard to pin down, he felt encouraged by the pride still shown by jail officers and employees. Within the last few days, he already had a spontaneous show of support when some corrections officers asked if he would come down so the group could meet him, Bogart said.

“The folks had a lot of pride. In fact, as I was walking down the hall, I heard two of them say, ‘We got your back,’ ” he said. “I know what they meant: ‘We want to work with you, We want to help.’ ”

Bogart will continue to act as the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission director, which he said has always been a part-time job. He also previously owned his own firm, Bogart & Associates, Consulting and Training. Bogart has held the position of reserve deputy of St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office as well as captain and major of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.