2 minute read
The expert witness
The expert witness
Andrew’s unexpected career journey
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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 to continue my studies and to undertake a Doctorate in Professional Practice at RGU on a part-time basis. Working full-time and undertaking study at this level is more of a marathon and a constant juggling act, but one that is very worthwhile.
As I approached my retirement after 30 years of policing, I had a transition plan to take a year off, enjoy my hobbies and importantly relish being a Dad again at the age of 51, but life had other plans for me!
With my combined academic study, publications and repute in the world of hostage/crisis negotiation, I was commissioned to review the negotiators tactics deployed at the Lindt Café Siege, Sydney (December 2014) for the coronial inquiry as an expert witness. Shortly after that I was invited to become the Chief Security Officer for an International Non-Governmental Organisation based in Rome, operating across 53 countries to help thousands of refugees in educational attainment — from primary schooling all the way through to university education.
I continue to travel to the United States to teach both law enforcement and the military in how to negotiate with some of the complexities that we face with Islamic State terrorism. My corporate work has led me to teach the skills used in hostage/crisis negotiation to business and sport at the highest levels.
There is no doubt in my mind that my time at RGU, the study that I undertook and the support that I received, helped me to transition smoothly from a career in policing to having my own consultancy where I continue to help others across the world improve their lives.
Andrew co-authored Modern Piracy and Maritime Terrorism: The Challenge of Piracty for the 21st Century.
