[My for-note: The following text is from a recent correspondence from an organization that I have been a member for … More
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 Solution: Cops in Jail?
One of the joys of retirement is having the opportunity to reflect on life lived. And part of that reflection … More
On Civic Corruption and Police Reform
“Well, that’s just the way it is here!” — A deputy Miami police chief to the new incoming chief, Art … More
The Art of Bending Granite
Bending Granite: 30+ True Stories of Leading Change Surely the most dramatic finding in this project is that it is … More
Why Can’t My Police Department Improve?
The title of this blog is a question I hear quite often. In trying answer that question, I try to … More
Growth of Private Police in America
Years ago, I remember reading about the growth of private security forces throughout the country. In short, our commercial buildings, … More
Still At It!
Author and Journalist Rob Zaleski and I recently appeared at a Madison event talking about Rob’s biography on ‘yours truly!” … More
Police Suicide and Its Prevention
There’s been decades of discussion about and improving police mental health, peer support, and addiction. The existing police sub-culture often … More
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
