Lawrence L. Battiste, lV is a native of Mobile, AL, he is married and the father of three (3) children, a graduate of B.C. Rain High School's class of 1981. Upon graduating from High School Lawrence Battiste joined the United States Navy where he served five (5) years. He has an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Bishop State Community College a Bachelor’s Degree in Management of Human Resources and a Master’s in Justice Administration from Faulkner University. He is a graduate of the F B I National Academy Class 207 and F B I National Executive Institute Session 42.

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When he returned to Mobile, after his military career, he began his Law Enforcement career. He worked for the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, as a narcotics investigator, assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force (DEA). He was later assigned to the Child Advocacy Center as an Investigator, and he took on the responsibility of head of the Major Crimes Unit for the Sheriff's Office. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He also served as a member and commander of the Mobile County Sheriff's Office Special Weapon's and Tactic Team, better known as S.W.A.T.  On October 27,2005, Lawrence L. Battiste, lV ended his career with Mobile County Sheriff's Office and began a career as the Chief of Police for The City of Prichard (The City of Champions), From October 2OO5 until December 2009, Chief Battiste served the citizens of the City of Prichard and its Police Department.

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While serving as Prichard Police Chief, Lawrence Battiste increased the police department manpower from 30 officers to nearly fifty officers.  He improved community relations between the citizens of the City of Prichard and the Prichard Police Department, by implementing programs such as Citizen Police Academy which he took an active role in teaching.  He worked with city leaders to develop programs around increasing police presence through WEED and Seed Grants which allowed for overtime to be spent on enforcement measures in high crime areas of the city. 

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Through proper money management, Chief Battiste was able to save money in the police budget that accounted for significant pay increases for personnel in both the police and fire department.  He also, through his financial planning, made it possible to purchase enough vehicles to provide take home vehicles for members of the police department.  This move was very instrumental in getting applicants to consider Prichard as a place to begin their law enforcement career. 

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Chief Battiste tenure in Prichard brought about many changes in the community, but the one thing he is most proud of is the relationship and the sense of safety that the community felt during his tenure and service to the Prichard community.  He was awarded the mayor’s Eagle Award during the annual awards ceremony for his outstanding service.   On December 14,2009, Chief Battiste officially resigned his position as Chief of Police for the City of Prichard and became the Chief Probation Officer for the Juvenile Court of Mobile County. 

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While serving as the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer of Mobile County, Chief Battiste was responsible for overseeing the proper managing and supervision of personnel assigned to coordinate the aftercare programs of youth in Mobile County.  Chief Battiste also worked very closely with the presiding Juvenile Court Judge on hiring and managing things such as the budget, coordination of community collaboration, state, county and local programing.  As Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Chief Battiste helped develop programs such as Boy’s and Girl’s Leadership, sponsoring site for Books Blocks and Balls and other community-based programs that aided in the process of placing our youth back on the right track. 

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 May 29, 2015, he was sworn in as the new Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Mobile Police Department. As the assistant Chief of Police, he was responsible for the prompt execution of multiple community policing programs that gained national recognition from the Department of Justice and the FBI on its initiatives around 21st Century Policing. 

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On April 15,2017, Lawrence L. Battiste, lV was promoted to the position of Chief of Police for the City Mobile Police Department. In his new role, Chief Battiste continued the community-based initiatives and worked to continue improving community and police relations.  Chief Battiste, while primarily responsible for public safety in the city of mobile, found himself often involved or engaged with all aspects of activities and business within the city, because all activities and events required some level of participation from the police.  Chief Battiste and his team were responsible for managing a nearly 62-million-dollar budget annually.  During his tenure as chief the police department remained fiscally responsible for all aspects of its budget and operated within the confines and constraints associated with said budget. 

On April 1,2021, Chief Battiste was promoted to the position of Executive Director of Public Safety for the City of Mobile, where he oversees the operations of Police, Fire and Public Safety Communications. Lawrence L. Battiste IV resigned his position as Executive Director of Public Safety for the City of Mobile on May 30, 2023, and he currently serves as the Deputy Administrator of the Mobile County Juvenile Court.  Lawrence L. Battiste IV is a member of the Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, where the Reverend David Frazier sr. is the pastor, and Mr. Battiste serves on the Deacons Board.