Author: 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.

The Active Fight is Over. Moving to Reserve Duty

Active Reserve Duty I have fought a long, hard fight for nearly three-quarters of a century. It is now time … More

Breaking Trust: Why Local Police Should Not Enforce Federal Immigration Law

Today’s New York Times investigation highlights a disturbing and dangerous trend in American law enforcement: the rapid expansion of federal … More

Another Sad Tale of Failed Police Reform

It is a bitter irony to watch the cycle of crisis and reform churn in Minneapolis—a city in which I … More

Balancing order and freedom

In a free society, the legitimacy of policing rests not on power, but on the consent and cooperation of the … More

Here We Go Again, This Time It’s Akron

Police Reform in Akron, Ohio: Moving to Take a Step Forward The Police Executive Research Forum recently completed a use-of-force … More

Echoes of Police Reform

“Paradox: Echoes of Reform & the Minneapolis Police” is a three-episode Twin Cities PBS documentary series led by historian Yohuru … More

The Thin Blue Line: A History

Policing a Free Society Dane County Historical Society — April 19, 2026 I had the pleasure (and blessing) of sharing … More

The Future of Policing and the Policing Covenant

A Covenant for Democratic Policing The Future Policing Institute (FPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank founded and led by … More

Your Bounden Duty: Seven Precepts for a Police Officer in a Free Society

Introduction When I was a young boy growing up in the Episcopal Church, I was given a small pamphlet called My … More

Community-Oriented Policing: A Conversation Still Worth Having

There are moments in reflecting back to the work I did in policing to remind me why it matters. My … More