Lauren Edwards: Leading with Faith Behind the Badge
Lauren Edwards decided she wanted to be in law enforcement after watching The Silence of the Lambs. Twenty-three years later, she serves as Assistant Chief with the Henrico County Police Division, overseeing all patrol operations and roughly 400 people. Through every promotion, call, and hard decision, her faith has led the way.
From Midnight Shift to the Executive Table
Lauren was the first in her family to go into law enforcement. After the academy she asked for midnight patrol, then went on to recruiting, training new officers, undercover narcotics, internal affairs, public information, and leading personnel, training, and criminal investigations as a captain. Nearly three years ago she became Assistant Chief.
Today she is the only woman on Henrico’s executive staff and the youngest in age and tenure. She hopes to continue advancing in her career and is grateful for the encouragement and support of her colleagues along the way.
Lauren credits much of her leadership to her mom, a high school guidance counselor who passed away 11 years ago. Her mom grounded her in faith, made service a family priority, and encouraged her to go for the top. Mentors like Doug Middleton, a former Henrico police chief and former Needle’s Eye board member, helped her learn how to lead with faith in a government role.
Human Before Anything Else
Lauren tells her team that leadership exists to serve, from her captains all the way to the officers on the street. “I am human before I am anything else,” she says. Even when making arrests, she never saw herself as better than anyone.
That conviction shapes her hardest decisions. When she has to discipline someone, she adds that person to her prayer list, knowing the stress it may bring to them and their family.
One moment she thinks about often came after a search for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s. The family had gathered in a roadside prayer circle, and Lauren asked to join, inviting another officer as well. Moments like that, she says, become a bridge for people who have only seen law enforcement in a negative light.
Her anchor verse is Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Daily time with God is part of her morning routine, and it has carried her through dangerous calls and difficult personal seasons. “It’s not in my control,” she says. “God’s got this and God’s got me.”
Community at Needle’s Eye
Lauren has been part of Needle’s Eye since around 2018. She went through Discipleship @ Work with some friends here at Needle’s Eye, and they still meet to pray for one another and swap ideas for living out faith at work. She also values InfluencHer events, where being surrounded by strong women has given her confidence to share her story on bigger stages. At work, she invites colleagues to Needle’s Eye whenever conversations turn to faith.
Lady Cop Lauren
Lauren founded Lady Cop Lauren to encourage women in law enforcement through coaching, speaking, and a podcast she is preparing to relaunch. Women make up only about 10 to 12 percent of officers nationwide, and fewer still hold leadership roles. Lauren wants women to see themselves in her and to honor those who paved the way. She even chose her office because the women who held her role before her worked there too.
Last year she helped launch the Blaze and Badge Camp, Virginia’s first camp bringing fire and police together for middle school girls, to build strength and confidence that will serve them in any career.
“I feel like I have a duty to show others what they can do,” she says, “and to support and mentor them.”
Learn more at ladycoplauren.com.
