Linda Slobodian reports for the Calgary Herald:
An investigation is underway to determine if candidates for Calgary Fire Department jobs are being asked — in mandatory polygraph tests — if they have ever had sex with cows or dogs, the city’s fire chief has confirmed.
However, with the investigation barely underway, Wayne Morris has dismissed claims of such questioning as “inaccurate” information.
“This is something that has been built into a war story around the coffee table,” said the chief.
“We haven’t gone the full length of our investigation,” said Morris, who added he expects it to be wrapped up within a month.
Herald sources claim candidates are subjected to detailed questioning about sex with animals, as well as “invasive” questions such as: “Have you ever masturbated in public places?” Or: “Have you ever become aroused while changing a baby’s diaper?”
At least one candidate allegedly left the lie detector sessions, which can last anywhere from 20 minutes to four hours, in tears.
The Calgary Firefighters Association raised concerns about this line of questioning with the department last fall, said president Scott Wilcox.
“This is a consistent, methodical theme all the way through all of the interviews that we’ve done. We have questioned almost everybody that has been through this thing,” said Wilcox.
“It appears that the threshold question in sexual issues relates to: ‘Have you ever had sex illegally?’ It means with animals. It means with underage children. It means in inappropriate or public places. It means with prostitutes. They say it — out loud,” he said.
“I cannot think of any circumstances where a firefighter would be in a position where they would be alone with a child, alone with a member of the public, alone anywhere. We work in teams.”
Aside from this line of questioning, the firefighters association has opposed parts of the polygraph test that delve into areas including credit history, gang affiliations, spousal abuse and drug and alcohol problems. These are the subjects of questions listed on “personal history statements” that job candidates must answer.
“Lie detectors and personal disclosure are unreasonable, intrusive, unproductive and destructive to morale. We have a problem with this practice, and we’ll take that up with management in the same spirit of co-operation that we’ve always used,” said Wilcox, adding the union and department have a good working relationship.
Department employees can be disciplined, and possibly fired, if they speak to the media on policy issues.
Applicants to the Calgary Police Service must take a polygraph. EMS applicants do not. Fire department job applicants are given polygraph tests and videotaped by Cochrane-based Rocky Mountain Polygraph and Investigation Services Ltd., operated by former city police officer Rick Patzer. The tapes remain in Rocky Mountain’s possession. Citing privacy issues, the department has chosen to rely on the investigation of hired consultant Gail Skeet, a former city police officer, who refrains from asking newly hired recruits, who are still on probation, pointed questions about cows, dogs and masturbation.
“She’s not to put words in their mouth,” said Morris, who added viewing the videotapes “may be an option” in the future. They can be viewed only if the recruit requests it and signs a consent form.
“There’s a certain privacy component. It’s not something we want to do. We all have skeletons in our closets,” said Skeet.
She said she is convinced such lines of questioning do not occur.
Acting on one complaint, police polygraph expert Det. Wally Musker reviewed one tape “and found nothing that was inappropriate as far as questions go,” said Skeet.
In an effort to get their opinions on the controversial polygraph testing, Skeet has begun to interview 71 probationary recruits from 2003. She has interviewed five so far and plans to interview another four today.
“If an applicant has a grievance, we’d like to know what it is,” she said. “We’re doing what we can with the limited information we have. The investigation is based on what they tell us.”
Skeet said she’s heard “through the rumour mill” the claim that a distasteful question involving a dog, peanut butter and genitals is asked.
She defended such a question, if examined in context, saying it “may come up.”
“One question leads to another,” she said.
“The tester might say, ‘This is what other people have told us. . . .’ ” said Skeet, who added she is a “very strong proponent” of polygraph testing.
Why sexual questions? “They speak to character. They speak to very serious unlawful acts,” she said.
Polygraph testing was implemented after former Calgary firefighter Douglas Henry Eastaugh was charged with several pimping-related offences following police raids on his home, the fire hall where he worked and an escort agency. His trial is expected to begin next month.
Morris said recruiting problems arose after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks prompted a flood of poor job candidates.
“Are they a fit? Are they honest? Are these people you would trust with your own children? We’re in and out of private property and homes with access to everything on a daily and nightly basis,” said Morris.
If a sexual inquisition with a polygraph is appropriate for firefighters, then why not then for all municipal employees? For discussion of the issues raised in this article, see the AntiPolygraph.org message thread, Calgary Fire Fighters Poly Saga Continues.