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.

Community Police Works: Another Example

Los Angeles Times: LAPD community policing has prevented crime and made residents feel safer, study finds The Los Angeles Police Department’s … More

David Bayley: Another Giant Laid to Rest

I received the following from Maurice Punch, another of the “giants” who have conducted significant research and written about police … More

Policing the Pandemic

Some Questions and a Need for Research This [isn’t] intended to be a comprehensive examination of crime and the pandemic. … More

Eat This Book!

“How to Rate Your Local Police,” was first put together in the early 1980s and then revised in 2015. It … More

What is Community-Oriented Policing? — A Short Tutorial and Story

I fear this most necessary aspect of policing a free society will be lost in the pandemic. You know, other … More

This is What Leadership Looks Like!

I have always said that leaders matter and they matter greatly. I once had one of my sergeants tell me … More

The End of Police Reform?

For 60 years I’ve hoped (and worked) for police reform. Yes, I have seen some significant improvements — police today … More

Remembering Herman Goldstein

If you work in policing or have an interest in its improvement you need to not only know the name … More

Really? It Just Keeps Getting Worse in Baltimore

Baltimore Sun: Dysfunction in Baltimore police homicide unit went unaddressed as killings hit historic levels With the COVID-19 pandemic and organizational … More