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In my office in Madison, circa late 1980s with two pictures (King and Gandhi) that have graced my offices from 1969 to 1993.

David C. Couper

police chief, priest, poet, pundit, and social activist!

Here We Stand!
A Declaration of the Sunday Assembly at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, Wisc. June, 2025.
I am somewhat retired after 30+ years in ministry and beginning my 88th trip around the sun. I  became a Benedictine Oblate at Holy Wisdom last year. As part of that responsibility, I have been blessed to be part of a small group that developed a powerful faith declaration we call "Here We Stand." Check it out at: https://holywisdommonastery.org/here-we-stand/.
​I also invite you and your faith group to join us by supporting the statement. Thanks!
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From cop to priest -- serving the Episcopal Church since my ordination in 1995.
My newest books of       poetry. All on amazon.com
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After my retirement from policing I continue to speak out on matters of criminal justice and policing.

Bending Granite: How to Lead Change in Your Organization

​ Chapter One: My story on improving a police department. Many more stories just as good. How to bring quality and continuous improvement to your agency. Get inspired to lead change from wherever you are. Learn what works. Borrow and adapt successful strategies. Avoid the missteps.

For further examples, ongoing discussion, and to share your experiences, engage at BendingGranite.org. You can buy the book there and listen to a podcast as one of the authors, Tom Mosgaller, interviews me.
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FOLLOW my police blog improvingpolice.blog  on leadership, training, organizational transformation along with current and critical issues facing police in America.

​You can purchase this new book at www.amazon.com/Last-Hurrah-Poems-Life-Nature/dp/B0D1QKXHZD


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​CONTACT ME --

​davidc6758
​@gmail.com
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​Phone: (608) 444-7207

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
My 3rd edition includes a new chapter: "George Floyd: Where to From Here?"
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​New Release!
Beyond the Badge: Reflections of an Ex-Cop
When he stepped down in 1993 after 21 contentious, but highly successful years as the police chief in ultra-liberal Madison, Wisconsin, David Couper was widely regarded as one of the most influential law enforcement officials in Wisconsin’s history. But little was known about his private life—or what motivated him to transform a paramilitary-type department into one that emphasized community relations; and to hire a large number of women and people of color, dramatically changing the complexion of the department..."

​Purchase this book HERE.

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“Restoration Point" contains a number of poems I have written over the past half-century.

More poems and prose: christinyouchristinme.blogspot.com

Also -- FOLLOW my current poetry blog: letmylifeteachnow.wordpress.com.

And for the past decade with 1,600+ posts and over 750,000 views, the premier blog: 
improvingpolice.blog

WHY FAITH?
​A "question and answer" interview with me regarding my faith. (See page on upper right.)
​Click HERE.
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Who Am I?
Family
Married to Christine Brown Couper (retired R.N.). Formerly married to Sabine Lobitz (1953-2020) who died of cancer after a 13 year struggle.  
Hobbies/Interests 
Physical activity. Travel. Martial Arts. Poetry. Social Justice and Commentary -- and learning to play the blues harmonica!
Career/Experience
  • Benedictine Oblate, Holy Wisdom Monastery (holywisdommonastery.org), Middleton, Wisconsin and member of the Sunday Assembly and occasional Presider.​
  • Priest in Charge, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, North Lake, WI., January, 2005-2022. 
  • Lecturer in Criminal Justice, University of Wisconsin at Platteville, 2016-2018.
  • Priest in Charge, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Portage, WI, December, 1995 to 2005.
  • Resident Chaplain; Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI, September, 1994 to August. 1995.
  • Chief of Police; City of Madison, WI, 1972-1993.
  • Director of Public Safety (Police and Fire Chief); City of Burnsville, MN, 1969-1972.
  • Detective, Police Trainer, and Police Officer, City of Minneapolis, MN, 1962-69.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant; University of Minnesota, Department of Sociology, 1968-1971.
  • Police Officer, City of Edina, MN, 1960-62.
  • Active Duty: U.S. Marine Corps, 1956-60; Reserve Duty, 1962-68
Education
  • Edgewood College, Madison, M. A., Religious Studies, 2005.
  • Seminary, Nashotah House, Certificate in Anglican Studies, 1994.
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, M.A., Sociology (Criminology and Deviant Behavior), 1970.
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, B.A., Russian Language, 1968.​

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