Florida Highway Patrol taps Major to lead local troop
Florida Highway Patrol Director, Col. John Czernis, announced today that Maj. Brent Coates now has the reigns as the new troop commander of Troop F. In his new position, Coates oversees the troop that covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
“Major Coates has spent 26 years with the Patrol, and during the past year and a half he has commanded Troop K. He has demonstrated his ability to lead a troop, which requires a great amount of responsibility,” said Czernis. “I have full confidence that he will bring the same dedication and professionalism to the troop in southwest Florida.”
Coates has been a major since December 2007 when he became troop commander of Troop K. There, he oversaw all FHP enforcement on the Florida Turnpike. Coates began his career with the Florida Highway Patrol in Miami after graduating from the 68th recruit class in 1983. Since then, he has moved up through the ranks in Fort Pierce, Palatka, and the academy in Tallahassee.
Coates holds a bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Barry University in Miami. He is a member of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ 11th Management Fellows Class and became the first member of the Patrol to become a Certified Public Manager in 2006.