I'm pretty new still, but just looking at all the vehicles models I've been surprised by how many members outside the US are involved in the community. It's sometimes easy to not realize.
That's cool, LSPDFR definitely can't match real life experience, but for someone on the outside, I think it has been good for learning about the proper procedures. Even though GTA AI often go crazy, I do try to follow protocols. I don't even take simple traffic stops lightly anymore, as I've had NPCs step out and start shooting at me.