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.

Police Pursuits

About time! A new report by the Police executive Research Forum (PERF) on a recommended standard for police regarding “high … More

Anti-Intellectualism and Policing

The following interview in my recent biography, “Beyond the Badge,” by author and journalist Rob Zaleski touched on a very … More

Common Sense

A recent article in PERF Daily News grabbed my attention this morning. Why? Lo and behold, it’s about what I … More

Back in the Saddle Again!

After a hiatus, I am now, once again, stepping up to my “soap box” Why? Because I care! I deeply … More

Changing Police is Like “Bending Granite!”

“Surely the most dramatic finding in this project is that it is possible to ‘bend granite.’” — National Institute of … More

A Police Case Study: Aurora, Colorado

Are you ready for this? Once more an event rousts me out of retirement and back blogging! The last time … More

If I Had To Do It All Over Again…

Given what I know now and have experienced over the past 60 years, here’s what I’d do as head of … More

Three Chiefs: On Policing

Here’s a recent podcast put together by current Madison(WI) Chief of Police Shon Barnes with yours truly and Retired MPD … More

What Must Be Said. And Said Again!

Over the years, poetry was a large part of my inner life. Recent years have found me sharing my deepest … More

The Seven Improvement Steps: Still Valid!

The Seven Steps Needed to Improve Our Nation’s Police The Seven Necessary Improvement Steps to Improve Our Nation’s Police These … More