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Highlands Today

FHP names new commander for region

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Special to Highlands Today

Published: July 3, 2009

SEBRING - The Florida Highway Patrol announced Thursday that Maj. Brent Coates has taken over the reigns as the new commander of Troop F, according to FHP Director Col. John Czernis.

In his new position, Coates will oversee the troopers who cover 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," said Czernis. "He has demonstrated his ability to lead a troop, which requires a great amount of responsibility. I have full confidence that he will bring the same dedication and professionalism to the troop in southwest Florida."

He has replaced Maj. David McCarter Jr., who retired after 28 years.

Coates has been a major with the highway patrol since December 2007 when he became troop commander of Troop K.

There, he oversaw all FHP enforcement on the Florida Turnpike.

He 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.

In 1991, the Palm Beach Post named Coates the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

The Institute of Police Technology and Management selected Coates as Florida's Trooper of the Year for Traffic Safety in 1999, and Buckle Up Florida chose him as its Officer of the Year for Fiscal Year 2000-2001. Coates is also very active in his community and Rotary International

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com.

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