Captain Lauer was born and raised in Arlington,
Virginia. She attended the Pennsylvania State University, home of the
National Champion Nittany Lions, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science
degree in Administration of Justice.

In 1985, Captain Lauer joined the LAPD. She worked patrol
assignments in Southeast, Central, and Wilshire Areas (where she was a
Senior Lead Officer), and an administrative assignment at Parker Center
before promoting to Sergeant in 1992. As a Sergeant, Nancy was assigned to
Southwest, Communications, and Internal Affairs Divisions. During that time,
Nancy returned to college and obtained a Master's Degree in Public
Administration from the California State University at Long Beach.