Note: The title of this blog comes from the author Alexander Pope: “Hope springs eternal from the human breast.” 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.
Oh, Minneapolis, What’s Become of You?
“Let me put this bluntly. There is no love there. The officers present did not love one another for if … More
Officer, What Have You Read?
I am often asked the following question: “Do you know of any advice that has been written for first-time or … More
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
