wrote on Dec 8^th, 2005 at 8:46am:

Smokey, Note also that the experience of states such as Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oregon, where law enforcement agencies are prohibited by law from giving lie detector "tests" to applicants, demonstrates that the polygraph is not a necessity.

I agree 110%, but since it appearently serves as a wonderful pre-employment tool for the other states, ploygraph screening should be emplied for every elected official and government worker (especially public school employees).  Quote from TLBTLD: "After all, our national security is at stake"


Quote:

ODIN WROTE:       Lets also note that most of those states, have high rates of police officers abusing their power, alchoholisim, corruption and drug addiction when compaired against some states that do alow it.

I am currently working in the private sector and in my state, most, if not all, LE agencies use some form of "lie detector."  I know a numerous amout of respectable cops who drink like sailors during a hurricane.  As long as it don't interfere with their jobs or behavior on/off duty, who gives a rats ass? Last time I checked, drinking was legal.  

 As for the abuse of power, the only power abusers I see are the polygraphers (not all, but a good many) who are branding honest potential LE officers liars and the background investigators who are too lazy to do REAL investigatory work and want to depend on a BOX to appraise the honesty of applicants..............And after all, who really gives a crap if someone took a hit from a joint 5-10 years ago...............If they want to find out who has done drugs, they can pluck a hair and check it for any drug in the past 7 years.

 As for PO's who are "stoners, " thats the point of Random Drug Testing in the work place.  There are many realistic ways of getting to the truth without use of a pottygraph

 Specify what "Abuse of Power" is.  Is it maliciously activating blue lights to get through a crowded intersection for the purpose of pulling into a 7-11 to get a coke and a can of skoal?  I'VE SEEN THAT, AND MY STATE PLOYGRAPHS!!  
 Is it stopping an attractive law-abiting motorist just to see some titties?  I'VE SEEN THAT OCCUR TOO, AND MY STATE PLOYGRAPHS!!!
 OR, is it when an off-duty officer goes out to a bar, has 20 beers and gets behind the wheel of a car and drives home (or elsewhere) the same day or day before he locks up someone for DWI who has had less than 7 beers, but happens to be a little tipsy???   WOW. THAT HAPPENS IN MY STATE TOO!!!!!....................................AND MY STATE PLOYGRAPHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!