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.

Missing Cheri on the Death of Thich Nhat Hahn

Thích Nhất Hạnh died on January 22nd. You might wonder why his death is noted on a blog site about … More

A City and Its Police: Minneapolis

I know I have retired from active posting on this site, but I have to include this excellent interview with … More

2021: The Favorite Five

What is Modern 21st Century Policing? Principles of Policing (1829) Making Choices: The Moral Aspects of Policing Courage: More Than … More

Now — “Arrested Development,” 3rd Ed.

Here is the Introduction to my third edition. (You might want to send a copy of this book either the … More

“George Floyd: Where to from Here?”

Are you wondering how you can help someone who is a police officer or plans on being one? Perhaps a … More

Feeling Blue

Blue during dark times of trouble i become a poet only there do i reach the depth of feelings love … More

Madison Police Sentinel Event Review: George Floyd Protests (Summer, 2020)

Did the Madison Method of Crowd Control work during the George Floyd protests in the summer of 2020? Was it … More

Dress Matters

A pressing question facing both police and the communities they serve is how did police move so quickly from this … More

A “Deep Dive” into Traffic Enforcement: Mission, Policy & Training

Chuck Wexler, a longtime friend and Executive Director of the Police Executive Research Forum, recently sent this excellent “deep dive” … More

Customer Surveys: A Necessary Step to Regain Trust and Respect

San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego rolling out online survey to track opinions on public safety and policing “In a bid … More