Why is Respecting Others So Difficult?

David CouperAugust 2, 2024August 2, 2024Uncategorized

The substance of the following video is what I learned 50+ years ago — to always be respectful to others. No exceptions!

Respect is what I went on to teach and used to lead a police department.

Being respectful to other human beings is “smart policing” that yields tremendous personal, organizational, and civic benefits.

Respecting others is simply “doing the right thing.” Why is that so difficult?

Why doesn’t respectful behavior become the dominant ethic of American policing? Why is it not ingrained within our subculture?

Now read yesterday’s blog on moral policing — “doing the right thing!” — “Making Choices: The Moral Aspects of Policing.”

Published by David Couper

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. After retiring from the police department, I answered a call to ministry, attended seminary, and was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. After almost 30 years serving in and leading two Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Milwaukee, I am "sort-of" in the process of retirement. Life is good. View all posts by David Couper