Before turning more fully to authorship, Foster served as a law enforcement leader, educator, and consultant. A United States Coast Guard veteran and retired Los Angeles Police Department lieutenant, he was awarded the Police Medal for Heroism and received more than 200 commendations over the course of his career. He holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

His professional work extended beyond policing into international consulting and instruction, advising governments in the Caribbean on national security strategy, leadership development, and organizational change. He has also written extensively on policing, technology, leadership, and terrorism, with work appearing across academic, professional, and media platforms.

In recent years, Foster’s writing has increasingly turned inward—bridging experience with reflection. His Masonic study The Temple Within examines moral formation, balance, and purpose through symbolism and tradition. His memoir Chasing the Surge: Ten Thousand Rides into the American Night captures darkly comic and deeply human moments drawn from thousands of late-night encounters, revealing how people navigate vulnerability, responsibility, and meaning.

In his hometown of San Dimas, California, Foster remains active in civic and fraternal life, serving as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, Past Master of his Masonic Lodge, and Past President of the Rotary Club. Across books, essays, and ongoing reflections, he continues to blend service, scholarship, and storytelling—seeking to illuminate both institutions and the individuals who inhabit them.