This is a video I put together to try and explain the necessity of a nation-wide apology by past and present police and their leaders to begin the healing process and the restoration of trust between police and communities of color.
Published by improvingpolice
I served over 20 years as the chief of police in Madison (WI), four years as chief of the Burnsville (MN) Police Department, and before that as a police officer in Edina (MN) and the City of Minneapolis. I hold graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota and Edgewood College in Madison. I have written many articles over my years as a police leader calling for police improvement (for example, How To Rate Your Local Police, and with my wife, Sabine, Quality Policing: The Madison Experience). After retiring from the police department, I answered a call to ministry, attended seminary, and was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. At the present time, I serve a small church in North Lake (WI), east of Madison. Sabine and I have nine adult children, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also a retired police officer and we both continue active lives. View all posts by improvingpolice
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I agree with you Chief Couper. I believe in apologies and asking for forgiveness whenever appropriate. A sincere apology could regain some of the trust and respect we’ve lost over time. Although I can only imagine how a public apology by the chief could be interpreted by many inside the police organization. I believe it’s much easier to apologize for misconduct that occurred 50 years ago. I think an apology should be related to some specific wrongdoing by one of your personnel. In other words it should be timely and specific.
I’ve frequently said that our profession needs to return to the title, and the practice, of peace officers. Law enforcement is important and dangerous work. Problem Oriented Policing is difficult and time consuming. Both must be embraced and supported by police chiefs and sheriffs in order to develop real working police/community partnerships. Working together on crime and the conditions that contribute to crime will go a long way toward Interpersonal relationships that build respect and trust.
John Welter
Police Chief (retired)
San Diego PD 1971-2004
Anaheim PD 2004-2013
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Amen, Chief, well said!
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Reblogged this on The Firewall.
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Reblogged this on improving police and commented:
As we begin this New Year, I am moved to republish this blog. It is a call for police, current and past, to stand up and begin healing the wound of mistrust that plagues our nation’s police. Now is the time.
See my webpage for a text on this important subject as a national task force meets to address our current problems in policing. http://www.davidccouper.com.
As we move forward, let this be a year of healing and trust-building.
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Reblogged this on Blogger at the Edge of the Universe..
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Very disappointed left some comments on here and they appear to have been edited out.
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Oops leaped before I looked (I had been all over the sight and finally found it) My apologies and please forgive me for jumping the gun. I found my post and appreciate your reply. I thought I had fine tooth combed the whole site.
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