Confusing “more polygraphs” with “greater security,” ABC News reports that the FBI has decided to expand polygraph screening. Excerpt:
W A S H I N G T O N, March 1 — FBI Director Louie Freeh is planning new measures to improve internal security in the wake of the Hanssen spy probe — including random and periodic lie detector testing of employees, ABCNEWS has learned.
The polygraph tests will initially focus on agents and personnel who have access to the bureau’s most sensitive data, particularly national security information, but it may be expanded to the entire bureau, a senior FBI source said.
Nearly 400 FBI personnel were given polygraph examinations before they were allowed to work on the Hanssen case, ABCNEWS has learned.
The move to expanded polygraphing is significant, since it has long been opposed by bureau rank-and-file. Employees question the viability of the tests — even though the CIA and NSA regularly use them.
Freeh has been criticized for not implementing the tests earlier. Currently, polygraphing is used primarily on potential employees and people being brought into sensitive investigations.
The announcement was made internally at the bureau on Wednesday, sources said, but it was not clear when the testing would begin.