Before joining the Police Service, Brain was a student at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, from 1972 to 1978, where he read History, obtaining a first class honours degree in 1975, and his PhD in 1983.
His specific responsibilities included the policing of Euro '96, counter terrorist operations, and the extensive reorganisation of the force in 1997.
In 1998 he was promoted to become Deputy Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, where his responsibilities included community relations and strategic planning.
His achievements include completing the first Tri-service (Police, Fire and Ambulance) Emergency Control Centre, creating new specialist investigative units to combat serious and organised crime, and receiving the Investors in People Award, becoming one of the few Police Forces to corporately achieve the standard.
In the Birthday Honours of June 2008 Brain became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the police and the community in Gloucestershire.
[4] His interests include history, music,[5] rugby union and supporting Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.