While spending a week in federal court with an officer during a civil trial, the author observed the process’s profound impact on the officer. Although she served as an agency attorney, the author was not the litigator handling the case; rather, she attended as a representative of the agency to observe, assist, and provide support and feedback.

Throughout the proceedings, she observed how litigation can significantly affect an officer’s wellness, recognizing signs of stress, anxiety, and fear—symptoms that went beyond momentary pressure and suggested something much deeper. It was evident that the experience had taken a considerable psychological toll on the officer.

“The mental health effects of litigation are, in a sense, the cost of doing business.”¹ Litigation has become an increasingly common experience for law enforcement, yet the emotional and behavioral impact on officers who become subjects of litigation remain underexamined. A phenomenon, known as litigation stress syndrome (LSS), reflects the sustained psychological strain associated with legal proceedings.² While research specific to law enforcement is limited, studies from other professions, specifically the medical profession, demonstrate that litigation can be a significant and prolonged source of stress and trauma.³