The proper policing of a democracy is best undertaken by men and women who are formally educated, carefully selected, well-trained, controlled in their use of force, effective, honest and truthful in their actions, courteous to every person, led by mature, collaborative leaders, compassionate, and closely in touch with the communities they serve. This requires a breath-taking vision, hiring the right people, and leading them wisely. Improvement can happen and it can be sustained!
David Blogs at: Improving Police and has written a book “Arrested Development: A Veteran Police Chief Sounds Off…”
David Couper is currently an Episcopal priest serving St Peter’s parish in North Lake near Hartland. He is a former Marine and served as Chief of Police in Madison (WI) from 1972-1993. He brought many new ideas to Madison: crafting a new response to public protest and integrating the basically all-white, all-male, heterosexual police department and aligning the department with Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s method of quality Improvement, customer focus, and protecting Constitutional rights. When David retired, the Madison Police Department was considered one of the best police departments in America and had an international reputation. After 33 years in policing, David went off to seminary and continued his lifelong pursuit of education, living one’s values, and continuously improving things. After his ordination, he served two parishes in southern Wisconsin and was a trustee for a number of years for the International Peace Council. He participated in a number of inter-faith missions especially a Buddhist peace march in Cambodia, mediating in Chiapas, and attending the Parliament of World Religions in South Africa. He has been married to Sabine for 29 years and they have a blended family of nine children and eleven grandchildren. He has graduate degrees in sociology and world religions from the University of Minnesota and Edgewood College in Madison.