Justanothercontrac,

First of all, I wasn't passing any judgement on  hcanewannabe.  I was primarily asking why he would take the time to write out a statement that was a.) false and b.) self incriminating, if his personal integrity was so important to him.  He answered my question when he told me that he was doing it to appease the polygrapher.  Fair enough, I believe him.

Secondly, I simply stated my personal opinion that the written statement in question could be very damning to any future attempt at joining a police force.  Again, not judging, just stating an opinion.   

Kona

Kona, I came pretty damned close to making crap up during my anal probing too.  I went in wide eyed and honest and believing and they basically broke me just like a good little interrigator.  I wanted out of there.  My reason was basically to appease the gulagmeister in charge and just frigging leave.  it was the worst flipping day of my life.  Had I studied before hand I think I would have been prepared for the psychological aspects of the test which is an intimidation tool at best.  I can understand where the guys is coming from and some react worse to the test than others.  Ask some questions before judging as people's reactions under stress do not necessarily reflect any planning at all and are at times desperate acts.

Kona,

It was to appease the examiner. Big mistake, I know. I only wish I could take it back.

Hcanewannabe,

I'm glad to see that you recognized your own hypocracy when on the one hand, you submitted a KNOWN FALSE statement to the polygrapher, and then on the other hand stating that you feel countermeasures are unethical in the same breath. ???

If your personal integrity is so important to you, then why on earth would you write a false statement about your background?  Was it out of guilt, or was it to appease the polygrapher?  Unfortunately, you're going to have to live with your error in judgement, and deal with the consequences.   

The only way you are going to get past the polygraph is to utilize countermeasures.  Even if you pass the poly, I believe that the police dept will have serious issues with your written statement.  If you changed your story after the last polygraph, and wrote a statement to comfirm that fact, then how do they know that you are telling the truth this time around?  It looks like you may have painted yourself into a corner with no way to get out of the room.

Good luck to you.

Kona

George,

Thanks for your reply. In all actuality, I'm really confused over what to do. I didn't think about how the false written confession already compromised my integrity when writing the post. You really pointed out a discrepancy there. I'm just trying to confront this whole process with the utmost honesty, as many who have been burned by the polygraph do. I've been told by many officers of those agencies with which I applied to give it another shot. Only time will tell.

hcanewannabe,

I'm in no position to advise you as to whether you should keep trying or just move on, but I do have some thoughts to offer.

It would appear that the false confession you made might not be considered permanently disqualifying; otherwise, there would have been little point in informing you that you could re-apply after one year. However, it is also possible that you were simply given a pro forma answer that did not take into consideration the specifics of your "confession."

You might consider re-evaluating the ethics of using polygraph countermeasures in light of all available evidence, including the unethical behavior of law enforcement agencies using an invalid test (as confirmed by the National Academy of Sciences) to judge your honesty and integrity. Does using countermeasures (while answering the relevant questions truthfully) to help minimize the risk that a completely invalid test will wrongly victimize you a second time really compromise your integrity? (And if so, does it compromise it any more than your earlier decision to make a false written confession in response to your polygrapher's false accusation of deception?)

If, at the end of the day, you still feel that using countermeasures is unethical, what about the ethics of an employer that is willing to lie to and otherwise attempt to deceive you through the polygraph process (see Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, for details) and then to pretend to judge your honesty based on junk science? Do you really want to work for such an employer?

You might wish to consider seeking employment with an agency that does not require pre-employment polygraph screening. Some states, such as Minnesota, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, outlaw the practice altogether. And some federal agencies, such as the U.S. Marshals Service, do not rely on polygraph screening.

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best.

I applied last year with 2 different law enforcement agencies. With both, the polygraph resulted in disqualification. Both tests were very similar in pacing of interview and scheme of questioning, as well as the types of questions asked. With both, I was completely open with the entire application process. I have nothing in my background which would result in my disqualification from any department. Except for a few college pranks, I've always been a straight arrow.

During the post-test exam with the first agency, the examiner informed me there was deception indicated in a specific area. Thinking it would appease the examiner and the agency, I made a false written confession. The examiner backed off after this and gave no indication as to whether I passed or failed. A few days later, I received a written conditional offer of employment, which I took as proof that I passed the exam. After taking and passing the psychological and medical exams within the next few weeks, I received a disqualification letter. It gave no reason other than "application issues". I verified with a high-ranking department official that it was due to the polygraph. I was informed that I could re-apply one year from the date of the polygraph exam. I have thought about re-applying but feel the false written confession will always be there hanging over my head and provide a huge obstacle to overcome.

The exam with the second agency resulted in deception in many areas, not just one. Besides not making a false written confession, my answers given paralleled the first polygraph experience. This was very confusing to me. How could this exam show I was being truthful in the area the other did not, but show deception in areas the other one said I was being truthful in? Minutes after being informed in the post-test interview that I had failed the exam and would be eventually disqualified, I withdrew my application with the department and walked out. I have since been contacted by the department and told that we can "discuss" the deception found by the exam and maybe work something out. Not wanting to further play "the game", I declined and have not contacted them since.

I have a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice and have worked in a related-field since all of this happened last year. As well, I come from a long line of police officers and feel that law enforcement is where my talents can be best-served.

I feel countermeasures are unethical and I'm not going to sacrifice my personal integrity just to say I passed the test.

I feel that I have now developed a personal "complex" towards the polygraph and may never be able to pass one. Does anyone else feel this way after hearing about my experience? Am I wasting my time? Should I keep trying or just move on?