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.

A Strong, But Needed, Prescription

I have made this argument in the past and I will continue to make it. I strongly believe we must … More

Use of Deadly Force: Now is the Time to Move Forward

The time for all of us to work together to rebuild police trust and legitimacy in our nation and reduce … More

Who Serves Whom?

I have been thinking this week about the struggle going on regarding PERF’s call to “raise the standard” with regard … More

The Struggle Ahead

The Police Pushback on Use of Deadly Force We are about to engage in a major community-police struggle. A struggle … More

“We Need Reform!”

“We have forgotten how to serve.” Lt. Col. Melvin Russell, Baltimore PD

Another Chief Stands Up!

Why Cops Need to Support Justice Reforms “Criminal justice reform demands strong, tenacious and visionary leadership—not only by individual law … More