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The expert witness Andrew’s unexpected career journey Story by Andrew B Brown, Chief Security Officer of Jesuit Refuge Centre, Expert Witness and alumnus I came to academia after 25 years of operational policing, predominately over the Highlands & Islands of Scotland. My role in professionalising leadership training for the Police in
Scotland led me to a position at the Scottish Police College where, shortly after arrival, I quickly saw the benefit of an academic evidence base in policing. Inspired, I became an
Associate at the Scottish Institute for Policing Research to further my research on the role of hostage/crisis negotiators, dealing with the alarming rates of suicide in Scotland. Quickly enrolling into research studies at RGU, I immediately saw the benefits of my varied practical experience in academic study. Encouraged by this, I successfully applied for a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to further my research into hostage/crisis negotiation with the New York Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. With cops, you need to be able to demonstrate your practical ability as well as your academic research, otherwise your credibility is shot down in flames. Undaunted, having proved my worth, I lectured and taught hostage negotiators from across the United States, before being invited to co-edit a book on Modern Piracy & Maritime Terrorism by my Professor in New York. Returning to Scotland and the ‘day job’ was a challenge, but one that encouraged me
