Dr. Andrew Ryan, Jr.
Chief Psychologist
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Dr. Andrew H. Ryan was selected in April 2007 as a Defense Intelligence Senior Leader (DISL) Executive in the position of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Chief Psychologist. In this capacity he leads a team of federal operational psychologists who provide forensic, investigative and operational support to the criminal, counterintelligence and counterterrorism missions of NCIS.
In 1999, Dr. Ryan was appointed as Chief of Research for the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute. Under his tenure, the DoD PI Research Division grew from an internal support division to an internationally recognized research lab that collaborates with more than 15 world-class scientific laboratories and industrial contractors worldwide.
Dr. Ryan also served as a technical advisor to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in the development of a personnel security program for the Russian Federations’ nuclear facilities. He was appointed as the US government technical and research advisor to the Department of Energy during the National Research Council/National Academy investigation into the validity of polygraph in personnel security screenings at the National Laboratories.
Dr. Ryan served as the Chief Psychologist for the SC Department of Public Safety and a sworn police officer from 1992-1999. As Chief Psychologist, he launched the first Law Enforcement Behavioral Science consultation program in South Carolina. In this capacity, he provided consultation and training services to law enforcement agencies statewide. Dr. Ryan is an FBI-trained hostage negotiator and provides crisis negotiation training to local and state law enforcement officers in conjunction with the FBI.
Dr. Ryan served in the US Marine Corps from 1969-1975. He was principal investigator for the State of South Carolina Office of the Governor Drug Control and System Improvement Program project that resulted in a validated screening and selection program for law enforcement officers statewide. In 1990, he joined the Psychology faculty at USC and served until 1999. He continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor for the USC Psychology Department today.
Dr. Ryan has authored four college-level texts, book chapters, and multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as conducted media interviews and filmed documentaries with more than 30 radio, television and print services.
Dr. Ryan is the past Chair of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Psychological Services Section; past Chair of the Council of Police Psychology; past Chair of the American Psychological Association Police & Public Safety Section; and an Associate Editor for “Psychological Services,” a peer-reviewed APA journal.