I recently had my polygraph exam with the LAPD and do not think it fared well.

The exam started with a pre-test interview where I was told what questions would be asked and given an opportunity to disclose information that would effect the test. The test itself was a series of about 12 questions asked three times.

By the end of the exam, I was told that I had "failed" two questions. I was a little confused since the examiner did not say that I failed the test, but that I failed two questions. The two questions were about domestic abuse and "acting out based on personal biases." Now I know in my own mind that I have never acted out on either of these issues and was telling the entire truth. The examiner came in after the test and said that she really believed I was a good candidate and wanted to make this work for me, but in order to do so, she would need full disclosure. She asked if there was any reason I could think of why I would react to those questions. I reiterated that I have never struck, pushed, pulled, thrown or otherwise aggressively touched a significant other. The only thing I could think of was that I may have felt some guilt about arguments that escalated to the point of slamming some doors or throwing a book or set of keys against the wall. But that was a far cry from actually hitting someone. As for the racial question, I could only say that perhaps I felt self-conscious about how other people may judge my own race as a whole based on my actions. I certainly have never been guilty of bearing ill will against someone solely because of their race, religion or anything else.

At this point, I am fairly certain I failed, mostly based on the fact that I apparently "failed" those two questions. I'm still not sure what that means...if I fail those questions did I fail the test? If so, then tell me I failed!! In either case, I feel the process was entirely bogus.

I am curious if anyone else has had a similar experience and still managed to pass the exam? If not, what recourse do I have? Is there an appeals process or do I basically have to wait a year to retake the exam

I too have had the problem with the "2 questions" being failed, strange it was the exact same number as yours as well  :o Anyway, mine was administered by the City of Richardson Texas when I was applying for a Public Safety Dispatcher. Mind you at this point I had been working for the City of Longview for 2 1/2 years as a dispatcher. Right off the detective made it personally known he did not like me  ::) I can attribute this to our first encounter that was over a mischeduled interview date, entirely his secretaries fault. He then went over all documents I had provided and all forms I had filled out. I answered everything to the best of my knowledge in a way I felt was completely honest, yet he wanted to pull "technicalities" out on me. Such as a question pertaining to my driving record. I admitted to have 3 citations, speeding. One of which was me hitting a state sign while on duty during a rainstorm, but the officer wrote it as "failure to control speed" instead of an actual accident. So since it's on my record as "failure to control speed", I didn't mention the accident portion of it. Well, this ticked the detective off obviously 'cause he soon started in on me with "you seem to want to interpret these question how you see fit!". Needless to say I've come to the conclusion he was a complete prick, but anyway, back on topic  ;D After this berrage of questioning, I was directed to take the polygraph by an outside agency. I had been through this before mind you, since I was working for Longview PD at the time, so I knew all 'bout "killing the snakes in the grass". Well, this particular examiner went into such shocking detail I did feel as though I was being interrogated! MY GOD! The things he would ask me, and then probe further, and further, and further, and FURTHER still!! Went on to even ask me about sexual activities as a minor WITH other minors. Now what relevance does THAT have??? Nothing illegal at all, geez. So needless to say, the polygraph did complete with no blows exchanged  ;) But the examiner informed me I had missed "2 questions" . . . yeah, 2. So what does that mean?? Apparently it means you fail and I'll get to that in a moment. He told me it was regarding "employer theft" and "marijuana use". Now, we had already gone about with the employer theft. The ONLY thing that comes close is that I snagged a couple of shrimp and misc items from a restaurant I worked at when they were sitting out to be served. He advised me that this was not the type of theft he was concerned with, so that I should answer "no" on the exam. So I felt relieved. And the marijuana use . . . I told him all about my wild and crazy days in high school (class of 2000, w00t!!) and experimentation with marijuana. Fine right? Apparently not. So now that I failed 2 questions that I can't possibly fathom why come, I am pulling out my hair over EVER applying for another government agency again!!!  >:( I had recieved a letter in the mail a week after that polygraph from Richardson stating somethin' along the lines of "Your application for employment has been disqualified. The reasons for our decision cannot be disclosed due to departmental policy". Well great  ::) So I'm not accepted and they can't tell me WHY!?! Was it 'cause that detective had a bad impression of me??? Was it his personal bias??? Was it that damned polygraph with all 2 questions failed??? WHAT WAS IT!?! I am midway through the hiring process with another agency now, and next (I FEAR) is the polygraph. I'm a decent guy who is proficient at the job he's applying for. Now tell me if my fear is irrational  :'(

~Deep~

I'm sorry to hear that you did not pass. Your story does not give me much in the way of hope for my situation. :(

Does anyone know what the appeal process is for LAPD? Or am I better off waiting for an official notification that I failed, assuming that I did fail... I was told that I only had 2 days after the exam to file a complaint.

I received official notice that I did, in fact, fail the polygraph examination with LAPD. I am more than disappointed as I know I did not lie on any relevant questions.

At any rate, I have already sent letters of appeal to two different people at Personnel, as well as having left a voice mail for my case manager.

As I was nervous during the exam to the point of nausea and cold sweats, I am hopeful that they will see fit to give me a re-test as soon as possible.

The worst part is thinking that I will have this problem with every other PD I have applied to.