Andrew Cullen
Law Enforcement, Training, Virtual Reality
Specialties & Interests
TECHNOLOGY
Developing large-scale virtual reality training focused on new deliveries of experiential scenarios and high-fidelity police training
LaW ENFORCEMENT
Specializing in training, virtual reality, mental health education, and community outreach
EDUCATION
Working in curriculum development with mental health exposure training, de-escalation, crowd control, and virtual reality courses
ABOUT
In 2003 Andrew graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in film production and began work in the television commercial business. Five years into editing commercials, Andrew left the industry to become a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
In his time as a police officer, Andrew worked in DUI enforcement, Patrol, Major Collision Investigation, Community Outreach, and Homeless Outreach. Upon becoming a supervisor, he would work back in patrol, as a supervisor on skid row and in training, developing training curricula, bulletins, directives, and departmental policy. Following the civil unrest in 2020, Andrew drafted the LAPD after-action implementation plan and facilitated training initiatives related to after-action recommendations. In addition to working on the LAPD curriculum, Andrew worked with the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) at Louisiana State University, where he was a co-developer on De-escalation Strategies and Professional Policing course.
In the Fall of 2020, Andrew began the process of bringing large-scale motion capture virtual reality training to the Department. In the fall of 2022, the LAPD launched its Virtual Reality Training Unit, which utilizes a large volume of Virtual Reality experience utilizing over 100 motion capture cameras and enabling up to 10 police officers to train simultaneously.
Andrew was promoted to Lieutenant in 2022, where he would work as a watch commander and Officer-In-Charge of hiring for recruitment. He currently serves as the Training Bureau adjutant, working with department hiring, in-service training, and recruit training.
CHDS AFFILIATION
- CHDS Master’s Program, Cohort 2301/2302
I’m passionate about bringing new and innovative approaches to training police officers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Thinking differently about Virtual Reality
Many Virtual Reality training implementations in policing involve creating a “bigger” force option simulator. In this video, I discuss and show how virtual reality can create experiences that expose police officers to different perspectives of vulnerable populations they may encounter.
LAPD Introduces Virtual Reality Training For Police Officers
The LAPD is using 3D animation, measurements of an officer’s heartbeat, stress level, and more in an interactive virtual space to prepare for real-life scenarios. Chief of Police Michel Moore sees virtual reality as a game changer for officers, especially in de-escalation training.
De-Escalation Strategies and Professional Policing Course
Today, more than ever, law enforcement officers must recognize the link between professionalism and officer safety. De-Escalation Strategies and Professional Policing provides effective tools to de-escalate encounters between the public and officers. In addition, the course teaches strategies to avoid escalation when possible. This course uses scenarios frontline officers may face daily. The scenarios will test participants’ ability to recognize situations where de-escalation is possible. Participants will employ tactics learned in the course to de-escalate and intervene. The course gives participants opportunities to enhance response skills to better respond to calls while maintaining officer safety and professionalism.
Louisiana State University NCBRT Preparedness Podcast
In this podcast, in collaboration with the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT), I discuss the history of Crisis Intervention Teams in policing. The conversation involves a field clinician and a discussion on how police can learn from past lessons and what the future of co-response looks like for police when responding to persons in a behavioral health crisis.