Jim Coats was elected Pinellas County Sheriff in November 2004, and began his four-year term after being sworn in on January 3, 2005. His election to Sheriff caps a thirty-five year career with the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office, where his first job was that of a deputy sheriff on road patrol.

A United States Air Force veteran, Coats began his career in law enforcement with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office after graduating from the Pinellas Police Academy. He holds a two-year degree in Business Administration from St. Petersburg Junior College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University.

Jim Coats was twice assigned by Governor Chiles to serve as interim sheriff: Santa Rosa County, Florida (August-November 1992), and Gulf County, Florida (June 1994 to February 1995). In addition, he briefly served as interim Chief of Police for Indian Rocks Beach (October to December 1993). In July 1995, Sheriff Everett Rice named Jim Coats his Chief Deputy, where he served until elected Sheriff.

Sheriff Coats is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI Executive Institute, the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, the Secret Service Dignitary Protection School, and the National Aviation Academy. He holds a commercial pilot’s certificate, with instrument and multi-engine ratings.

For the past 15 years, Sheriff Coats has served on the Executive Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, Inc.   He also serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Pinellas County Police Athletic League (PAL), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association, and is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County. Sheriff Coats also participates in and supports activities associated with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.

Sheriff Coats is a member of the Pinellas County Community Alliance for Families and Children, a graduate of Leadership Pinellas, and a member of the American Legion. He is also a current member of the Pinellas County Charter Review Commission and the Executive Committee of the Central Florida HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force.  Other committees where Sheriff Coats has served include the Governor’s Drug Policy Task Force Subcommittee, the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, and the Law Enforcement Information Sharing/Analysis Committee.