The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy in Colorado.

 

West Palm Beach, Fl - The Truth About Being a Cop: Lessons From a Reserve Deputy in Colorado. Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. Hollywood often portrays police work as fast-paced, glamorous, and adrenaline-fueled. But Len Herstein, a Reserve Deputy in Colorado, says the reality is far more complex, and far more human. In a recent special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, Herstein reveals what life on the force is really like.

“It’s far more boring, far more dangerous, and far more impactful on your mental and physical health than most people realize,” he explains. The episode is available for free on the show’s website, as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major streaming platforms.

This is the story of service, sacrifice, and the lessons policing can teach us about vigilance, leadership, and life itself. 

A Late Calling to Serve

At 45, Len Herstein left behind a career in marketing and entrepreneurship to join the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy. The volunteer role requires up to 850 hours of service each year, a significant commitment, especially for someone who had spent decades in the corporate world.

“I do police work for free,” Len says. “People think I’m crazy when they hear that, but for me, it’s about giving back. It’s about being part of the solution.”

Douglas County, located between Denver and Colorado Springs, is one of the fastest-growing regions in Colorado. For Len, it has become more than just a place to serve, it’s a classroom where lessons extend far beyond the badge.

“Complacency Kills”, The Lesson That Changed Everything

Early in his training, Len learned a lesson that would shape both his law enforcement career and his approach to business: “Complacency kills.”

“When you stop paying attention, when you assume things are safe, that’s when the danger strikes,” he says. “That lesson hit me hard, and it applies to every part of life and business.”

This principle became the foundation for his book, Be Vigilant! Strategies to Stop Complacency, Improve Performance, and Safeguard Success, which links lessons from policing to leadership, entrepreneurship, and marketing.

Lessons for Business, Marketing, and Leadership

Before joining the force, Len spent over 30 years building brands for companies like Coca-Cola, Campbell Soup Company, and Nabisco. He later founded ManageCamp Inc., producing 19 annual marketing conferences with leaders from Facebook, Apple, and Google.

But nothing in the boardroom prepared him for what policing taught him.

“Policing forces you to be aware, to anticipate threats before they appear,” Len explains. “That’s exactly what businesses need to survive in today’s world. Complacency can be fatal, whether you’re on the street or in the C-suite.”

His unique combination of law enforcement experience and marketing expertise has made him a sought-after speaker, showing organizations how to build vigilance into their culture and operations.

Why Complacency Is the Real Enemy

“Success can be deadly,” Len warns. “When things are going well, you stop looking for threats. You stop improving.”

Complacency doesn’t just affect performance, it affects people. It can lower morale, waste resources, and create blind spots that competitors exploit.

“The same mindset that keeps a cop alive can keep a company thriving,” he says. “Vigilance isn’t paranoia; it’s preparation.”

In today’s fast-moving digital world, this lesson is especially relevant. Social media, online marketing, and brand reputation can shift overnight. “One wrong move can damage your brand,” Len notes. “Vigilance protects both reputations and relationships.”

The Human Side of the Badge

Being a Reserve Deputy has also given Len a firsthand look at the emotional and psychological demands of law enforcement.

“You see the best and worst of humanity, sometimes in the same shift,” he shares. “It’s not just about enforcing laws; it’s about understanding people, de-escalating conflict, and protecting those who can’t protect themselves.”

The same qualities, humility, empathy, awareness, apply to leadership in any field. “If you lead a team, you’re responsible for their safety and success,” Len says. “That’s what policing teaches you every single day.”

Bringing the Lessons Home

Through his podcast appearances, his book Be Vigilant!, and his speaking engagements, Len Herstein continues to share the hard-won wisdom of his dual career in marketing and law enforcement.

“Whether you’re on the street or in the boardroom, vigilance isn’t optional, it’s essential,” he concludes.

Catch the full episode of The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast online at their website, or stream it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major platforms.

Attributions

Wikipedia

Douglass County Sheriff

LenHerstein.com

Amazon.com

 

 

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