Variences in Federal Uniformed Employment

[MP_Steve]

I have noticed variences in background checks between federal uniformed law enforcement agencies.

Why do most feds require polygraphs, but some don't?

No Polygraph Requirement(All below require "Secret Clearence" and does not have a polygraph requirement).

1) Pentagon Force Protection Agency
2) Veterans Affairs Police
3) Federal Protective Service
4) US Mint Police mentions nothing about polygraph
5) Any military department civilian law enforcement (ex. Department of the Army Civilian Police)

*I'm sure there are many more to list, just can't find 'um.

So why do some feds agancies require polys and some don't? What makes the agencies that I mentioned different?

Note: While not federal, the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC and the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority Police Department also do not require polygraphs...

Thanks for all the replies...:D

-Steve-
Military Police

(This is all based on about a half-hour of research. Someone speak up if you see errors).

[Super Six 5]

I have no idea why the government is the way it is Steve. I do know that the VA Police do not have secret clearances. Anyone who tells you they do is either fooling themselves or flat out lying to you

[MP_Steve]

I have no idea why the government is the way it is Steve. I do know that the VA Police do not have secret clearances. Anyone who tells you they do is either fooling themselves or flat out lying to you

I didn't want to start pointing fingers, but here goes:rolleyes:

From a VA Police Officer (from PM):

we're moderate, or secret, or some bs like that.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I have to go with what I'm told straight from the source. :D

[Super Six 5]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I have to go with what I'm told straight from the source.

I hear ya. He doesn't seem to sure himself :D No one at my station has ever filled out any paper to get a clearance. Pull up one of the job announcements on usajobs and it doesn't make any mention of having to be able to obtain a certain clearance. That being said, we are privy to all law enforcement sensitive information, just no super military secrets :cool:

[steve1568]

I believe the polygraph is used to up the clearance to Top Secret because of the questions that center around involvement with foreign nationals and such. Just my thoughts though, nothing offical.

[MP_Steve]

I believe the polygraph is used to up the clearance to Top Secret because of the questions that center around involvement with foreign nationals and such. Just my thoughts though, nothing offical.

I think you meant to word that a different way :confused:. I have a secret clearance and I had no polygraph. It's only used for top-secret... I'm surprised PFPA doesn't hand out top secret :rolleyes:

I just want to know what factors come into play when a federal uniform agency decides if it wants to/or not to polygraph it's officers...

[NJLEO918]

I think you meant to word that a different way :confused:. I have a secret clearance and I had no polygraph. It's only used for top-secret... I'm surprised PFPA doesn't hand out top secret :rolleyes:

I just want to know what factors come into play when a federal uniform agency decides if it wants to/or not to polygraph it's officers...

It basically comes down to some agencies believe in the test and some dont, some prefer to do a hard shardp background investigation, while others prefer the test. many people and or agencies have top secret clearences without taking a polygraph.

[NJLEO918]

Additionally the only three uniformed agencies in the fed system I remember advertising a poly was USSUD, USCP, and FBI Police.

[Bearcat06]

Steve,
This is my personally opinion.....but Poly's are a voodoo science and shouldn't be solely used for backgrounds....like a lot of agencies do.

I (like a few others on here) have passed and failed poly's in the hiring process. It's all based on how good the exmainer is.....and a lot of them out there just suck.

I am in background with the Pentagon right now. They have called my current PD, prior PDs that I have worked for and other stuff that I did after I got out of the military, did a tax check (make sure I paid my taxes), a credit check, ran my driver's licenes history and my criminal history......plus talked to about 5 references that I gave them. Since I do backgrounds for my current agency, if they can't use all that info to find out what they need to know if I would be a good hire, then they need to get new people working backgrounds for them. That is more than enough info to find out if the person would be a good hire or not......

Enough of my rant.......

[MP_Steve]

I am in background with the Pentagon right now.

That is where I'd like to end up :D Or in that area with MPDC or Washington Metro Area Transit Authority Police Department.

Of course, that's after I spend about five years in the Kwaj :cool:

[Piggy]

I hear ya. He doesn't seem to sure himself :D

Hey you two, don't make me pull this car over.

I've been told at least, that we do have a clearance level but, nothing to write home about. Moderate sounds right, but I'd have to check to make sure. It basically as something to do with the OPM doing a background check and us having access to certain records, carrying a firearms, or something similar. It was explained to me when I was hired...you can see how much attention I was paying to it.

That being said, I was actually at LETC working for 6 months and the OPM investigator was still working on my background check. He called me while I was down there. Thank god nothing came up.

[Bearcat06]

That is where I'd like to end up :D

Pentagon Police are the highest paid uniform Federal Police Dept. at the current moment. Base salary is btwn $45,193 - $50,739 (which is more than Fairfax and Arlington Counties) and after 3 years your base is $81,383......

Just for your info....Wash Metro PD's academy is like 9 months long (it maybe longer than that). You have to get certified in DC/VA/MD....

Airport Police pay well but you wouldn't have the headaches of the Metro......

[DltUNH]

I was under the same impression until I started in the process w/ Capitol Police, contrary to what the website police because this is new info. USCP starts at 50K and after successful completion of training 52K. Not bad considering starting pay where I'm at is in the low 30's!!

[Kimble]

I was under the same impression until I started in the process w/ Capitol Police, contrary to what the website police because this is new info. USCP starts at 50K and after successful completion of training 52K. Not bad considering starting pay where I'm at is in the low 30's!!

Well, it's all relative. Making $30K in Birmingham, AL isn't too bad. Making $50K in Washington, DC (where you will be if hired by USCP) is crap. This is something one should consider when looking at the salary, as the number alone may not be as high as you may think when you add in real estate costs.

[Bearcat06]

Well, it's all relative. Making $30K in Birmingham, AL isn't too bad. Making $50K in Washington, DC (where you will be if hired by USCP) is crap. This is something one should consider when looking at the salary, as the number alone may not be as high as you may think when you add in real estate costs.

Real Estate/Rent/etc.....suck out in the DC area.....trust me......