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.

Reflections from a Retired Chief

[Chief Don Hanna’s career in policing was well blessed: working the street four years, police chief 24 years in three … More

An Alaskan Village Where Every Cop Has Been Convicted of Domestic Violence

Dozens of convicted criminals have been hired as cops in Alaska communities. Often, they are the only applicants. In Stebbins, … More

What’s Your Dream?

I Have a Dream About Police — Do You? Over a half century ago in the midst of racial unrest … More

Let’s Face It!

If we are to preserve this fragile thing called American democracy we are going to have to become a little … More

Struggling with Shadow

“Institutions prefer loyalists and ‘company men’ to prophets. We’re uncomfortable with people who point out our shadow or imperfections…” The … More

How Are You?

This is one of the most important questions a leader can ask. But far more importantly is to be able … More

Kids and Cops: School Resource Officers

In the 18th century, Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote “the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” … More

A Sergeant’s Briefing

Ed. Note: I was recently asked with regard to some questionable behavior from a group of police officers what I … More

Managing Police Use of Deadly Force: Where Are We Now?

I ran across a most interesting podcast from Prof. David A. Harris on his site, “Criminal (In)justice” concerning where we … More

Apology: Necessary for Both Personal and Organizational Effectiveness

I have written about the importance of apology (and its sought-for state of forgiveness) over 10 times on this … More