Top cop

David Couper, Madison's innovative police chief, views reform as an ongoing process that depends on community involvement. In Steve Irvin's cover story on "Couper's Coppers," Couper tells Irvin that citizens who forfeit their opportunities to speak up "have the police departments they deserve." Now in his 15th year as Madison's top cop, Couper has gradually won over most of his early detractors on the force. Among the initiatives he has introduced: a decentralized, community-oriented management hierarchy; an Experimental Police District where unconventional approaches to police work can be tested; a sensitive crimes unit; bicycle monitors; more open lines of communication; quality leadership seminars; and neighborhood bureaus. Describing himself as a "developing leader" even after 28 years in policing, Couper observes: "I don't think I'm where I want to be. Hopefully by the time I'm done around here I'll achieve that...then I'll think I'm good at it." Couper steps down in 1993 to enter the seminary, and is now the pastor of an Episcopalian congregation at North Lake, Wis.