LaShawnna Edwards made history as the first female SWAT officer for the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, earning her spot on the elite team in 2016 after rigorous training and tryouts.
From a challenging swimming test during tryouts to excelling as the only woman on a 45-member team, Edwards’ journey has been defined by her determination to break barriers and inspire others.
Balancing her part-time SWAT responsibilities with her full-time role as a training instructor, Edwards takes pride in helping her colleagues improve their skills while pushing herself to stay sharp and prepared.
Below, she shares what it takes to excel as a SWAT officer, the challenges she faces and her advice for aspiring candidates — especially women — looking to follow in her footsteps.
What does a typical day as a SWAT officer look like?
I work for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and we’re a part-time team, meaning we have full-time responsibilities elsewhere in the agency. Typically, we have two extensive trainings a month, about 10 hours each. These trainings cover everything — marksmanship, firearms qualifications, large area searches with our SWAT K-9s and medical training with our SWAT medics. We make sure we’re covering all the basics and staying sharp as a team.
For operations, like executing search warrants, we show up, get the game plan and learn about the violent offenders. We study the ins and outs of the residence, and each operator is assigned a task. We work as a cohesive unit to execute the warrant based on what’s outlined in it.
The team handles about 130 to 150 warrants a year, which keeps us incredibly busy. Palm Beach County is huge, so we often find ourselves working in different parts of the county within the same week — or even the same day. Most of our calls involve narcotics, gangs, barricaded subjects or violent crimes.
What challenges do you face regularly as a SWAT officer and how do you handle them?
One of my biggest challenges is staying in top physical shape. Anatomically, my body is different from most of the guys on the team, so I have to work harder to build upper body strength and stay fit. That’s important to me because I’m not just representing myself — I’m representing my family, women and so much more.
Balancing all of my responsibilities is another challenge. I wear many hats within the agency, including being a corporal, training instructor, EMT, and part of the honor guard and LGBT liaison team. With such a full schedule, I don’t have time to work out on duty, so I work out four to five times a week off duty. My workouts include Orange Theory, high-intensity interval training and Jiu Jitsu for self-defense.
Another challenge is keeping up with skills outside of work. I attend conferences, take specialty classes and research case law to make sure I’m staying sharp. I try to bring back what I learn to the team so we’re always improving. It’s a lot to juggle, but I’m committed to giving 100% in everything I do.
Can you share a memorable experience that highlights your impact as a SWAT officer?
One of the most memorable moments for me was during the SWAT tryout process. There were about 15 of us trying out and I was the only woman. It was a long, grueling day, and it ended with a swimming portion. Afterward, they told us to change into dry clothes and meet the team.
Standing in the mirror, I realized I had passed the tryout. I screamed quietly — I didn’t want the guys to hear — but I was so excited. That moment meant so much to me because I was the first woman to pass the tryout for our SWAT team.
Another impactful moment was during a narcotics warrant. The suspect we were after was the reason we were there, but his family had nothing to do with it. I remember taking a moment to console the mother and daughter, letting them know everything would be OK. It was a cold day, so I brought them a blanket to help calm their nerves. Even as an operator, I want to stay human and show compassion when it’s needed.
In this exclusive interview, Lashawnna Edwards shares her journey to becoming the first female SWAT officer for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Hear firsthand about the challenges, triumphs and advice she offers to aspiring SWAT officers, especially women looking to break barriers.
What unique skills or tools are essential for success as a SWAT officer?
Marksmanship is a key skill. I failed firearms during the academy by one point and that failure motivated me to become obsessed with improving. I paid for help to understand the nuances of the firearm and vowed never to feel that way again. Now, as a training instructor, I work with officers to help them improve their shooting, correct bad habits and become more confident with their weapons.
Being a team player is equally important. You need to have a good attitude and build trust with your team because your reputation precedes you. That reputation often speaks for you before people meet you.
Critical thinking is another essential skill. You might see something during an operation that’s different from what others perceive and you’ll need to make a split-second decision. Having the ability to anticipate problems and think on your feet is invaluable.
Physical fitness is critical, too. It supports your mental health, your decision-making and your ability to perform at your best. Lastly, you need a strong work ethic and a drive to learn. SWAT tactics are always evolving, so staying open to improvement is key.
What are the most rewarding aspects of being a SWAT officer?
For me, the most rewarding aspect is being part of a team. I grew up playing basketball in middle school, high school and college, so teamwork has always been important to me. On SWAT, I love training with my brothers, working on tactics, and building bonds both on and off duty.
One of my favorite memories was attending a party at a sergeant’s house shortly after joining the team. It was my first time seeing everyone outside of training. It was amazing to connect with them as people, outside of their uniforms, and it reinforced the camaraderie and trust that make our team so strong.
What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing a career as a SWAT officer, specifically female officers?
Train, train, train. Don’t wait until a few weeks before tryouts to start preparing. Be obsessed with the idea of joining something elite and take it seriously. I started training five months before my tryout to make sure I was ready.
If you’re in the agency, get to know the team. Volunteer as a role player during training exercises, ask questions and use those opportunities to learn. Also, remember that your reputation precedes you — it often speaks for you before people meet you, so make sure it’s a good one.
To female officers: Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t hesitate like I did. Believe in your abilities, surround yourself with a strong support system and don’t be afraid to try new things. Representation matters and taking that step can inspire others.
