“I never reported the things that were happening to me. I wanted so bad for people to respect me as a deputy sheriff, as an operator, as a narcotics investigator, and I realized that it was just not gonna happen.” – Former Deputy Bridget. Serving as a law enforcement officer inherently brings its own set of challenges and, for the 13 percent of full-time law enforcement officers who are female, those challenges can multiply quickly. As Bridget found, both men and women affected by harassment often feel as though their world is crashing down, and it can be difficult to know how to address and solve the problem. Victims may question their own sanity, lack needed resources and departmental support, and when they do report an incident, find themselves subject to retaliation and further mistreatment. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Former Deputy Bridget, who went to the police academy the week after she graduated from college. In her four-and-a-half-year career, she worked in patrol as well as on the SWAT team and the narcotics and organized crime unit. While she can say with confidence that she chose her career in law enforcement, it took her longer to adjust to her role afterward as an attorney. What she did know was that she wanted to help first responders in a different capacity by providing legal guidance, helping them understand their rights, and, when necessary, effectively building the case for a lawsuit. If you need legal assistance, please contact Bridget at Lady Law Shield. That’s a wrap for the sixth season of Stories From the Road! Thank you so much for listening and sharing your stories with us. If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. We look forward to hearing more of your Stories From the Road in 2024! Support the show