A recent article in PERF Daily News grabbed my attention this morning. Why? Lo and behold, it’s about what I … 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.
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
Fear of Rejection Drives Cops’ Bad Behavior
Sue Rahr, former elected Sheriff of King County, Washington, past director of state-wide police training, and friend of mine, recently … More
Police Amnesia
A most pertinent, timely and historical article in the Baltimore Sun by friend and colleague Karl Bikel had been published … More
