Ramsey generally asks officers what assignment they would like when returning to work after being shot. DeCoatsworth, an aggressive cop who accumulated nine citizen complaints against him (only one validated by Internal Affairs) wanted Highway Patrol, "one of the most aggressive units in the entire department," Ramsey said. "God bless him for still wanting to get out there and do police work, but did I act in his best interest? In hindsight, I would say probably not."
Highway Patrol might have been too much, too soon. DeCoatsworth was not given time to find his "balance," Ramsey said.
"He got shot and had half his face blown off. People need to remember that, I think, before they get a little too critical of him," Ramsey said, adding that "that's going to affect the way in which you interact with people."
When DeCoatsworth was placed under investigation for allegedly threatening a couple of his neighbors in January, Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the Daily News, "He's not one of us anymore. He's just Joe Blow around the street doing what he does."
That was chilly, reflecting anti-DeCoatsworth sentiment on the part of some higher-ups. It differed from Ramsey, who said DeCoatsworth is "a nice young man, he's a bright young guy, and I wish him well. I really do," but added that "he's got some issues in terms of his temper" and that policing may not be the best profession for him at this time.
Before the Port Richmond incident, while still a cop, DeCoatsworth got into an on-duty fistfight with another cop. Internal Affairs is investigating.
