Sheriff Jim Coats' law enforcement career has been with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for 38 years and he served at all command levels until elected Sheriff in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.

Before his election, Jim Coats was twice appointed by Governor Chiles to serve as Sheriff in counties where the Sheriff has been removed from office.  He was appointed by Governor Bush to be interim Sheriff for Pinellas County, and also served as interim Chief of Police for Indian Rocks Beach.

A United States Air Force veteran, 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 has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

Sheriff Coats was selected as a delegate to attend the International Terrorism Task Force in Israel. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Florida Parole Commission’s Qualification Committee, and the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.  He was appointed by the Florida Attorney General to serve as Co-Chairperson on the Regional Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy Task Force.  He also serves on the FDLE Regional Domestic Security Task Force; FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force; Executive Committee of the Central Florida HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force; Pinellas County Education Foundation Executive Committee; Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Board; Pinellas County Public Safety Coordinating Council; Pinellas County Health and Human Services Council; Pinellas County Community Alliance for Children and Family Services; and has served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee Sixth Judicial Circuit.