Polygraph

[lawdawg]

Not all agencies use the polygraph for preemployment for one; and for two, why don't all agencies utilize it if its so useful?

[metallicat]

All the local departments where I live do, and so does the RCMP. I am not familiar with a department in my general area that does not use the polygraph. I am not going to move to a whole new city simply to escape the exam.

Phone them and ask them that question.

[TX Kid]

Sgt, I appreciate your response to this matter, thank you. I just took and passed my letter/number coordination test (lol, i missed one letter out of 300) and then they asked me some more background questions. The officer said he was going to recommend me based on my background and that my paperwork was going to be reviewed, after which I will be receiving a phone call regarding the position. Thanks for everyone's help! And yes, I am willing to take a polygraph examination because it is a requirement to work for this department AND someone smarter than myself decided it was a good idea to implement this system for pre-employment purposes. Until someone else smarter than myself manages to convince a pretty hefty amound of people that the polygraph is useless and they can come up with a better form of pre-employment tests, I'll continue to abide by the rules and regulations of the pre-employment process, and one of those rules is: Failure to submit to all forms of required pre-employment testing will result in full disqualification of the applicant. I think I'd rather not be d/q'd for a while...

[rdp]

Lawdawg,

Ever thought because it is an expensive investment in training, staffing, and equipment, could be one reason why every dept. doesn't use it?

Check you area. It is either a poly or CVSA.

[lawdawg]

Metro= poly
NLV= CVSA

The cost is a big factor, but you'd think they'd rather avoid hiring pedo's and perv's then face a lawsuit down the road that could be tripple the cost of the poly.

Also, I think you may feel an obligation as a LEO to perpetuate the poly myth, for obvious reasons. I refuse (and I hope this doesn't offend) to believe that any reasonably intelligent person could possibly think the poly can detect lies or deception; or maybe that issue isn't even at the core of the argument. I've heard polygraphers tell their subjects that it detects changes in breathing, sweat, and heart rate,(which is fact) NOT that it detects lies. I think what is not being said, is that the levels of those three may NORMALLY indicate deception, in a person who is in a NORMALLY relaxed state; as if he was not even hooked up to the leads.

I guess in the end, its a question of probability and percentages of passers/failers and that the number of applicants falsely accused of deception is an acceptable and unavoidable loss. I am however sure that for as many that are DQ'd for deception, there are an equal number who pass and shouldn't have; because if it has a percentage of failure, it can fail either way.

[rdp]

Once you have experience with a Poly or CVSA, your views may change. I don't mean taking one test and thinking you know what they are about.

The computerized models give a percentage of deception and does not rely solely on the examiner.

They are excellent investigative tools, but not the solution to everything. None of the agencies around here base EVERYTHING on the poly or cvsa.....they are tools.

[gijoeyl33]

Stump just so you know you are VERY mistaken on how a polygraph is run, even though u feel like you cleared your concious on those "vague" questions, they were stilled scored as lie responses. they are commonly known as control, or comparison questions. Most people pass easier if they identify the control questions and lie their *** off, because they are automatically assuming you are lying anyways, creadting a greater physiological response, enabling you to pass the "relevant" or scored questions easier......basically all they do is compare them together.

[gijoeyl33]

Tx kid listen to the man and go to the site, the polygrapher will be fooling you, the test are the most inaccurate invention ever known to man, and if u fail one, it has negative impacts on future employment....people do tell truth and fail poly

[metallicat]

Tx kid listen to the man and go to the site, the polygrapher will be fooling you, the test are the most inaccurate invention ever known to man, and if u fail one, it has negative impacts on future employment....people do tell truth and fail poly

What are you talking about? Are you telling him to go to the anti-ploygraph website? Don't tell him what to do, let him make his own mind up on what is ethical and what is unethical.

[gijoeyl33]

Its not about being unethical...did you take a algebra test first, before you learned about how algebra worked, or did you learn it in class then take the test??? same concept...not saying to cheat, my best advice on a poly is not to take one

[metallicat]

Its not about being unethical...did you take a algebra test first, before you learned about how algebra worked, or did you learn it in class then take the test??? same concept...not saying to cheat, my best advice on a poly is not to take one

TOTALLY different concept! That is learning a skill so that you can pass a freaking school class, you are talking about "learning" a "skill" to CHEAT what a polygraph is used for. It has already been discussed that not taking one isn't an option if you want to become a cop at a place that uses the examination.

[gijoeyl33]

Never said cheat on the test, however learn how the polygrapher oh so amazingly determines how u are lying, because that site will explain how the test works

[metallicat]

Its called being deceptive, something that is worthy of getting DQd.

[gijoeyl33]

reading a book about polygraphs is not being deceptive. the only deceptive thing about it is the polygraph test itself

[metallicat]

Keep telling yourself that...while you are at it, tell that to a department you apply to that uses the polygraph, and then let me know what they say.