Polygraph question

[MrWingo]

Back when I was in high school (age 16), an unstable ex-girlfriend became upset with me because I ratted her out for doing something illegal. She retaliated by telling two male friends of hers that I assaulted her, which I can attest on God's honest truth is absolutely untrue.

My question is this. I know I'll be subjected to a polygraph dealing with similar questions, and/or the BI may possibly run across this person (I say possibly because I have no idea where she lives or what became of her since it's been so long). This incident generated a lot of embarassment for me back then, and even though it's going back nearly a decade, I'm likely to have an emotional reaction to lines of questioning regarding the subject matter. This is especially true because I've also had family members who have been victimized by domestic abusers. I've never laid a hand on someone of the opposite sex in any type of violent or unwelcome manner. Part of my desire to join Law Enforcement is to help victims of DV, especially little kids.

I realize I've started a lot of threads on your forum. But these little things are agonizing during this time that I'm considering applying. I figured I should get it out of the way now, because my wife is about to kick my a** because I'm worrying about it so much. Thanks.

[PAC1]

First of all, you need to be telling everything you typed here to your BI and Poly Examiner. Just explain everything and be truthful. That's all the information somebody can give you on an internet forum.

[S43riff]

If you were never charged with anything dont worry about it. If you felt guilty of everything you were accused of and did not do....your sweating the small stuff.

[mxwelch]

The question I was asked was "Have you ever abused anyone in you life?" If you didn't touch her then the answer is no.

[MrWingo]

If I'm hearing you correctly, you're saying that I'll be speaking to the BI before or after he investigates and I'll have an opportunity to disclose finer details about different situations I've been in?

I've looked at the BI packets (the 30 page application) for a couple of the departments I'm interested in. For some reason, I was under the impression that the only contact with the BI would be through this packet.

[mxwelch]

If I'm hearing you correctly, you're saying that I'll be speaking to the BI before or after he investigates and I'll have an opportunity to disclose finer details about different situations I've been in?

I've looked at the BI packets (the 30 page application) for a couple of the departments I'm interested in. For some reason, I was under the impression that the only contact with the BI would be through this packet.

Some depts. do it different. Some will have a BI interview before he does you background. Some will give you the packet to fill out and after you're done he does the background. Some packets will give you a space to disclose anything you think the BI needs to know. The best thing is just to tell them whether it's in person or in the packet. If you weren't charged with anything and didn't do anything wrong it won't be a big deal at all.

[MrWingo]

Okay. So your general recommendation, assuming you've been through the process before, is that more information is better than less information for the BI.

I've got to stop assuming that my situation is somehow unique. I'm sure they come across stuff like this all the time. My wife says that if they DQed everyone who ever had a problem with anyone else, there would be no cops. I guess she has a point!

[ARG32]

Dude, be extremely careful with this. make sure you give this information to BI, polygraph examiner, and everione that asks for it. Be extremely clear and detailed and if you didn't do anything you'll be fine. I'm telling you this because in a similar situation, I wasn't really clear during poly and I got removed from the process. They gave me the chance to justify miself and request continuation which I am going to do, but as of rigth now, I am out because of my stupidity and a missunderstanding. I hope they accept me back when I request it.

[MrWingo]

ARG32: Could you go into a little more detail, that is if you're comfortable about it? I'm just interested in making my process and disclosure as smooth as possible.

Also, how long ago did all of this occur? For me it's been nearly ten years.

[Kimble]

ARG32: Could you go into a little more detail, that is if you're comfortable about it? I'm just interested in making my process and disclosure as smooth as possible.

Also, how long ago did all of this occur? For me it's been nearly ten years.

Without going into the details of ARG32's personal past (as he may or may not wish to share it on a public forum), I believe he is trying to say that IF you fail to disclose something prior to the polygraph, and it comes out during the examination, you will be DQ'ed. Therefore, you should be totally upfront from the get go. Don't wait until your polygraph to start confessing stuff that you were already asked in the background questionnaire and during the interview with the BI. If someone asks you a questions, give them the full and honest answer. If you wait until the leverage of the polygraph instrument is held over you it will not work well to establish your credibility and integrity.

EDIT: Also be aware that the polygrapher will give you time before being hooked up to the box to make any admissions or statements about the questions he will ask. This is the time to come clean with the polygrapher, as doing so after being hooked up and having him interrogate you will likely result in a "deceptive" conclusion.

[MrWingo]

ROS: I understand.

I guess the reason I'm asking this is because the background questionnaire doesn't have anything on it that directly applies to a situation like this. It asks about drugs, alcohol, criminal activity, finances, and so on and so forth. All of which is pretty much clean. There's nothing on there about people from your past who might provide false statements about your character or conduct.

[Valor55]

Every poly I've had most of the time spent was formulating the questions and discussing them. You will have ample opportunity to expain what happened and have the question framed in such a way to determin if you were truthfull in the discussion about it. You have nothing to fear.

[MrWingo]

Alright. I'm going to stop worrying about it. Everyone's advice here has been invaluable, and (again) I appreciate you taking your time to help me.