Polygraph Question...

[ImpactBlue]

I have started the application process, and I am pretty confident in most areas except one. Does being nervous affect the polygraph test? I have a clean background, but I find myself getting nervous because I want in so bad. The main concern is, while I have never done drugs, I have been around some people that have when I was younger. I have guilty feelings about this, and I was curious if those feelings might show a reaction when they ask me questions. Maybe I am just worrying about nothing, but honestly, should I be concerned?

[TX Kid]

If you get a good guy to administer the test, he will be very specific on what he wants. This exact question was done for my polygraph for dispatcher, he said he didn't care what I had been around, whether or not I reported it, just if I had done it. Of course I hadn't and I told him all the times I had been around it. If there is any confusion, he will have you explain it out, and then rephrase the question to "other than what you have told me, have you ever done drugs" or something like that. As long as you are clean, and admit EVERYTHING, no matter how small, you should be alright. If you want anymore help with this issued feel free to hit me up on aim at justin851025. I am not a leo, however, they may be able to assist more, i am only a dispatcher in training.

[mcsap]

Being nervous results in a "normal" level of reaction.

You won't react differently to a question because you are nervous ( unless you are lying) , your nervousness will be like a steady background hum from an amplifier. It will be noticeable but it will appear on ALL of the test and not "single" you out in a certain area.

Probably 99% of people who take polygraphs are nervous.

[TX Kid]

Okay, so your explanation was better than mine, lol.

[mcsap]

That may be 'cuz I have been doing this for a few years now

[ImpactBlue]

Thanks for the help. I am still nervous, but I guess that is to be expected. What all kinds of things will they ask about? I've seen a lot of variety in other postings.

[mcsap]

They will ask you anything and everything. Expect the unexpected. Don't think you can "prepare". Just walk in, sit down, listen to the examiner, answer the questions TRUTHFULLY and get it over with.

I re-emphasize ANSWER TRUTHFULLY. You get one shot at doing this correctly. There is NO and I repeat NO excuse to lie about ANYTHING. It will be treated as a deception and they will think l;ong and hard before hiring you. And if another agency checks with them, they will say you lied.

If you stole a bicycle in the 11th grade, admit it. If you got a speeding ticket 4 states away and it isn't on your home state driving record , ADMIT IT. Walk out knowing you were 100% honest and nobody can come back later and say you lied.

[CO.Dep]

Tell him what you are nervous about during the pre-poly stage. That way if there is a reaction to that question, the guy giving the test knows whats up.

[TX Kid]

Very true mcsap. I gotta remember as well you are one of the few who helped me through my polygraph, and I thank you for it again.

[mcsap]

Anytime and... I take portraits of presidents as a token gesture of appreciation.

Sorry, Abe and Geo are not my fav presidents !

[Billy Reynolds]

Before taking a test relax, the tester will ask you a series of yes or no ? all you do is answer yes or no pretty simple really,but everyone is nervous. Being nervous can make you look like you are lying. The Tester will ask you a question if it is one that is have you ever been around drugs, your answer is yes, in return he will turn off the machine ask you in what incident you were involed in. If he once he hears your response he will rephrase the ? If you are really concerned with this go to a department that does not polygragh,or get the book on how to take a polygragh test. Or you can look up the Terrell Police Department in Texas and ask for an application, and you will see first hand the questions they intend to ask.good luck

[Billy Reynolds]

P.S. you should be more concerned about the oral board.lol

[Billy Reynolds]

I second the truthfull note

[mcsap]

Blue, I would not be as quick to take the advice of a person who is not a LEO and apparently has not had much if any experience with the poly. EVERYBODY is nervous except the former KGB agent who was trained in deception. Do NOT worry about the poly. As long as you tell the TRUTH, your being nervous is NOT an issue.

They will ask you a series of simple base questions like is your name _____________?, are you a US citizen etc. Simple questions that they already know the answer to. Again, your level of nervousness will appear as but a continous "hum" in the "background."

You do NOT need to "prepare" for a polygraph exam. You just need to show up , answer the questions truthfully and you will be fine. Don't even concern yourself with any books or tricks on taking a poly, it might backfire.

Do not skip a dept because they poly graph people. The BEST departments do, the little ones may not. The best ones pay the BEST, the little ones don't. If you have nothing to hide, get on with it. You will be glad ( hopefully) that you did.

[Billy Reynolds]

tell that to the many people who have failed the poly do to being nervous there is areason it is not allowed in court it is not fool proof as far as exp i have given the test for 10 years I am not leo yet but i have passed everything and am in the hiring process but have administered the test for ten years every one registers differently if you dont believe that ask around