Bridget Truxillo Gives Women in Law Enforcement a Plan for the Workplace Conflict Nobody Trains For
Speaking at the California Police Chiefs Association's RISE 2026 in San Diego, the former SWAT deputy turned attorney laid out how officers can answer conflict and retaliation inside their own agencies without putting their careers at risk.
HOUSTON, October 5, 2026: Most departments train officers for the critical incident on the street and never for the conflict inside the building that can derail a good career. Attorney and former SWAT deputy Bridget Truxillo put that gap in front of attendees at RISE 2026, the California Police Chiefs Association's conference for women leaders in law enforcement.
RISE marked its 20th year September 8 through 11 in San Diego, under the theme "The Power of Connection." Truxillo, founder of the Lady Law Shield, presented her session, "Navigating Challenges," on September 10 to attendees from law enforcement and first responder agencies across California and beyond.
Her argument started with silence. Officers hesitate to speak up because they fear retaliation or fear looking weak, and the problem they stay quiet about does not go away. It grows, into emotional distress and a toxic work environment. Truxillo told the room that change starts with leadership, and that an officer does not have to wait for leadership to start it.
Between department policy and a courtroom sits a wide gap, and most workplace problems live there. Many are not legal claims yet, but they can escalate into one without guidance. Her advice was to use the union, get employment law help as well, and talk to someone outside the situation.
She closed with a four-step response for any workplace problem: pause to assess it, document the details, escalate through the proper channel, and protect the career while doing it. Documentation carries the most weight. Before a difficult conversation with a supervisor, Truxillo told officers to write down what they plan to say. Afterward, they should record what was said, the date, and who was present, on a personal device and not a department system, the same day it happens.
"Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is a tactical decision, the same one you would make before any critical incident," said Truxillo. "You cannot control what happens around you. You can control what happens inside of you."
Truxillo takes the conversation to Texas next spring. She is scheduled to speak at the 6th Annual Dallas Police Women's Symposium, March 25 and 26, 2027, in Dallas, where the Lady Law Shield returns as a Gold Sponsor. Early registration is $90 through December 31, 2026, and rises to $100 on January 1. Register at events.humanitix.com/dpdwomenssymposium2027 before December 31.
About the Lady Law Shield
The Lady Law Shield (Truxillo Law Firm PLLC) is a Houston, Texas, law practice focused exclusively on employment matters for law enforcement officers and first responders. Founder Bridget Truxillo served as a Florida deputy sheriff on patrol, in the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, and on the SWAT team before she became an attorney.
The firm represents officers in retaliation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, FMLA, ADA, pregnancy and nursing, and Brady/Giglio matters, and it puts mental health and career preservation ahead of litigation. It also offers leadership training for agencies. The firm works with officers across the country on employment matters under federal law. Schedule a consultation at ladylawshield.com.
This release provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction.
