Does anyone know of any web sites that have message boards like this one but deal mostly in hiring processes and questions about getting a job in different federal law enforment agencies?

Thanks in Advance

Gentlemen,

Regrettably, there is a lot more to 911jobforums.com than meets the eye. The forums there are highly censored (even PolygraphPlace.com has a greater tolerance for free speech). 911hotjobs is a for-profit entity and receives substantial advertising revenue from various law enforcement employers. Posts not "toeing the party line" are frequently deleted.

I hold the owner of that site, Bob Amaral, in very low regard. In addition to his arbitrary and capricious deleting of posts, Mr. Amaral once placed libelous statements about George Maschke on the header of every page on his site.

My last experience with 911jobforums.com was roughly two years ago. At that time, posts exposing the trickery behind polygraphy were instantly deleted. Previous to the existence of AntiPolygraph.org, many posts on polygraphy referred to Doug Williams. Amaral claimed these posts were deleted because they were of a commercial purpose (hard to believe considering the commercial content of other posts that remained). Despite this claim, posts not referring to any commercial site were also deleted. When I wrote him for clarification on the terms of service were for his entity, he declined to reply. I was left to surmise that the house rule was to disallow any posts that provide derogatory information about advertisers (LE employers) or potential advertisers.

Recently, I noticed that the site was actually hawking a book that provides information on polygraph countermeasures. I don’t know how this squares with how they were handling the message board. 

It would be interesting to see if this type of reprehensible behavior is still going on. Perhaps someone can post an explanation of the trickery behind polygraphy on an appropriate thread at 911jobforums.com. Better yet, include the words AntiPolygraph.org. Let’s see how long it lasts.

You are right. We have been kind of strict about the polygraph on our site. I apologize for this. We have software in place that automatically deletes polygraph topics. If a polygraph topic is posted enough times by a member, then the software automatically bans the person. As of today, I have turned off that software. People may now have the ability to talk about the polygraph no problem. However....I want the polygraph threads to help applicants. I don't want it turned into a soap box thread.

Apparently, although 911jobforums.com may no longer be automatically deleting polygraph-related message threads, their moderators are prepared to do so manually. See the following message thread:

http://www.911jobforums.com/vB/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=19055

where the moderator gives a vague warning to keep posts "professional and on the topic."

Quote:


911jobforums.com's past policy was to delete posts that venture too close to the truth about polygraphy, for example any that explain the difference between relevant and "control" questions. It's not clear that any real change has taken place in that policy.

Triple X,

Your post has been eliminated as far I can determine. I can't believe how heavily regulated the boards are. It kind of reminds me of standing in line to take a written and listening to people make up stories. Mr. Amaral , please ease up on your focus, after all, the poly is part of the process!

Fred F.

Fred F.,

You are absolutely correct. My post has in fact been deleted from the 911jobforum message board. That’s incredible, my message was deleted within the very hour in which it was posted.

What a pathetic excuse for an open forum message board. What ever happened to freedom of speech? Apparently, on the 911jobforum board, if your post is not totally inline with the views of the board moderator, [Bob Amaral] they delete you message. 

The following is the text message I receive when I attempt to view my message thread.

"vBulletin Message 
Invalid thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the webmaster "

Friend and foe alike on antipolygraph.org message board can agree, we are extended the right to free speech.

They can say what they want to against George and Gino J. Scalabrini, but they do not delete messages that differ with their own views. 

George does not even delete message threads that personally slander and insult him on a personal level.

The critics that do not support George’s views on polygraph testing, should at least respect him for allowing free speech on this board.


911jobforum.com is a pathetic website that masquerades as an open forum allowing ones own personal views, as well as an exchange of thoughts, ideals, opinions, etc. I assure you it is not. My post was deleted within the same hour in which it was posted.

Respectfully,
Triple x

Seeker wrote on Mar 11^th, 2003 at 3:27am:


This is so true it brings a tear to my eye.  Especially after the numerous tounge-lashings I took from the FBI for posting my story here.

Quote:


I went and peeked around 911jobforums.  I have to say I was in shock.  There were many questions I could have answered to prospective FBI candidates, not only about the polygraph, but also about the application process itself -- some of the same information I have provided to individuals on this site.

Well, I couldn't post as a guest on that site, because they don't allow it.  I considered registering, but if my posts are just going to be censored, why should I?

Mr. Amaral, please don't come here and tell us that you are "easing up."  You are not doing anyone on your site any service by only telling one side of a story.  You ought to have big disclaimers flashing on your page, saying "We censor anything our sponsors might be offended by!"  This way, the registered users who think they are getting good advice might research a little more before they walk into the hornet's nest completely oblivious.

Of course, for a Probable Lie Control Question Test to "work," they have to be oblivious, right Bob?  You and your site are just another pawn in the system.  Good luck sleeping at night knowing you dupe your users into false security through censorship.  Sounds REALLY American, doesn't it, comrade?

Chris

Here is a message board specifically about the FBI, with an emphasis on employment-related questions:

http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=The%20FBI