Sheriff Coats Reappointed To Florida Violent Crime And Drug Control CouncilGovernor Charlie Crist has reappointed Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats to the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council. The appointment was announced last week, and is effective immediately. Sheriff's Coats' new term on the Council extends to June 30, 2011. The Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council was established by the Legislature in 1993 as an advisory body to the Commissioner and staff of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The original purpose was for the Council to assist local and regional law enforcement agencies in violent crime cases. With the increase in violent crimes due to illegal drug dealing and gangs, the Council was expanded to include developing strategies and assistance to combat drug related crimes and gang violence. Sheriff Coats will join the thirteen other members in overseeing four major funding categories:
The Council initiates strategies and makes recommendations for funding statewide or local law enforcement investigations and programs in these primary areas. The Council meets at least twice annually, and oversees the cases funded through Council approval. This position on the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council is just the latest in a series of state level appointments received by Sheriff Jim Coats over the years.
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