Arrested Development: A Veteran Police Chief Sounds Off About Protest, Racism, Corruption, and the Seven Steps Necessary to Improve Our Nation's Police [Paperback]

David C. Couper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2012

BOOK DESCRIPTION Repression of protest. Racial profiling. Excessive force. Misconduct. Corruption. In this hard-hitting book, Chief David Couper talks about his career, the police subculture, and his 20-year transformation of police in Madison, Wisc. The book is autobiography, history, and a police improvement manual in which he outlines the seven steps police must take in order to overcome the four obstacles which have "arrested" their development: anti-intellectualism, violence, corruption, and discourtesy. When these obstacles are dismantled and the seven steps followed, we will have police who are smart, restrained, honest, and courteous. Couper writes with authority, wisdom, and experience.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Couper led the Madison Police Department for over twenty years (1972-1993). During this time, the department successfully handled hundreds of public protests without incident, implemented a collaborative leadership style, and brought women and minorities into the department. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota and Edgewood College. Since his retirement he has been concerned about the militarization of our nation's police and their slow progress which has arrested their development. He served as a police officer in Edina and Minneapolis before being chosen to lead the Burnsville and Madison police departments. This is his third book on policing. For more information visit his blog at: http://improvingpolice.wordpress.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 20, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1470102560
• ISBN-13: 978-1470102562
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Couper led the Madison Police Department for over twenty years (1972-1993)and was a visionary leader. During this time, the department successfully handled hundreds of public protests without incident, implemented a collaborative leadership style, and brought women and minorities into the department. He holds master's degrees from the University of Minnesota and Edgewood College. Since his retirement he has been concerned about the militarization of our nation's police and their slow progress which has arrested their development. Couper believes our nation's police can and should be great. Over the years, he has never lost his passion to see this happen. Couper served as a police officer in Edina and Minneapolis before being chosen to lead the Burnsville and Madison police departments. This is his third book on policing.

Since his retirement, he has continued to champion peace and justice issues as a priest in the Episcopal Church, Diocese of Milwaukee.

For more information, visit his blog HTTP://improvingpolice.wordpress.com and Couper's website: http://www.davidccouper.com.

For a short (4 minute) video review check out an interview with him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IoLKTfPK5c.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars lessons learned from those who have lived it only make us better July 11, 2012

By Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson

Format:Paperback

Having spent 25 years at the Madison Police Department with David Couper as a mentor, the contents of Arrested Development comes as no surprise to me. These are core issues David has been "preaching" for three decades. He is extremely passionate about improving the police profession just as he was in pursuing excellence at the Madison Police Department. Couper has an unrivaled track record of identiying major issues in policing, such as policing crowds and leadership, that gives him credibility with colleagues. Twenty five years later, in 2012, our profession is now just coming to the realization he was absolutely correct about the manner in which we handled crowds (The Madison Method); the way we develop collaborative leadership (Couper's Principles of Leadership); and treating those we serve (customers) with respect, civility and dignity, including those we arrest.

Many Police Chiefs haven't survived or have struggled because of these three issues and the others addressed in his book. By sharing his experience, David hopes his message resonates throughtout the police profession and creates sustainable change. As he knows by his own accounts, sometimes those changes happen one department at a time.

I highly recommend the book to my colleagues. I believe my successes today as a Police Chief for eight years is attributed to the lessons observed, learned and shared by my former boss and mentor. Most of us love this profession and the important work we perform in protecting, serving and leading our communities to a safer tomorrow. Understanding the experiences of those who have preceded us, along with the solutions they offer can only make us personally and professionally better.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What works -- from an author who's been there May 8, 2012

By Paul McMahon

Format:Paperback

David Couper is a remarkably clear writer, a voice of broad experience in the field of policing who directly and unequivocally lays out what we as caring citizens should expect of our police. The author's phrase that sticks with me is" the police are us, and we are the police." They must be boldly led by chiefs with clear standards, goals and expectations. We are all human, we all make mistakes (Couper admits to his share over his 20 years as Chief of Police in Madison WI) but we must continually strive to improve. I know many officers and commanders may disagree with his philosophy, but the lessons, conclusions and beliefs stated by David Couper ring true for me. I highly recommend this book for all have made police work their honorable profession, as well as for the taxpayer citizens who rely on their good work and protection. At the college level, whether in the study of criminal justice, law enforcement, police science or even general liberal arts areas, this lucid book should be required reading. It is a case study of a professional's life experience, full of cogent advice and direction for justice administration.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep insight from someone who has walked the talk March 4, 2013

By dynohubbill

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

David Couper brings his years of experience and study to look at ways our police work and the political environment they operate within. He opens a door to a profession that is not well understood, and gives suggestions on how to improve the current state of affairs. Whether you're a professional officer, politician, or engaged citizen, this book is well worth the read.