LB wrote on Jan 16
th, 2003 at 4:47am:
Hello, I am new to this forum. I work part-time for a local ambulance service that recently discovered theft of some drugs specifically Morphine. To my knowledge they don't have any suspects in mind. A supervisor told me that they are probably going to have most if not all employees do a polygraph. Now let me say that I haven't stolen anything from them and especially a controlled substance like Morphine. My concern is, I don't trust polygraphs. I have read over the book posted on the webpage and I'm even more convinced that polygraphs are bogus and misleading. I've already read in the CFR's that the ambulance service would be exempt because drugs and theft are involved. So, they have a right to ask for a polygraph. To the best of my knowledge, they have no substantial evidence that anyone in particular has done it. Everyone is suspect right now.
I am considering refusing to take the test. But I am afraid I will be immediately suspected and probably fired. If I refuse, can they still have me or anyone else arrested for stealing the drugs that refuses?
Let me preface my responses with the fact that I am not a legal professional in any way (just a diligent amateur); you really should ask an attorney if you're looking for definitive answers.
To the best of my non-legal-professional knowledge, you can't be arrested unless there's some form of probable cause (i.e. evidence). Firing may be another matter, though.
Quote:If I take the test and fail, can they file charges against me or anyone else that fails based on the results of the polygraph?
Unless you admit to something, IMHO in most cases the results of a polygraph shouldn't be sufficient alone to have you arrested (since such results are not admissable in court). Again, keeping your job may be another matter entirely.
Quote:I've even considered resigning, because I really don't need this job and I don't want to be involved in this scandal. But if I do that, I'm sure I will be personally suspected because I am quitting in the middle of this investigation and they could still coerce me into taking the test.
If I were in your shoes, I would not only refuse to take a polygraph, but indicate that the reason is I have come across a lot of information on the polygraph while surfing online, and thoroughly believe that the test is bogus. Furthermore, thanks to information available online, I am intimately familiar with how to beat the test, and therefore am an unsuitable candidate for polygraph testing. I also would specifically mention
www.antipolygraph.org by name, and refer my supervisor(s) to the site and
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (chances are very good that those who have decided polygraph testing is necessary are utterly unaware of the details of how the test works or the fact that it can be easily beaten with readily-available information).
I would couple all of this with a strong indication of willingness to cooperate in any other way possible.
The decision must be yours, of course. Countermeasures are another alternative; they can work and are undetectable if done right, but there are no guarantees that way, either.
Skeptic
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Facing a Polygraph Should I be Worried? (Read 3261 times)
