I recently took a test for an entry level Federal LE position.

A part of the test consisted of reading passages and then answering questions based on the material.  -Pretty standard stuff. 

One paragraph was about transporting, another about keeping records, another about chain of command.

The one passage that gave me the giggles was about polygraphy.  It started out by saying that a "certified authority" had concluded that the polygraph was valuable in determining truthfulness.

I nearly lost it.  A "certified authority." Could you be any more vague?

It didn't say the Justice Dept or the Association of Police Chiefs, not even four out of five dentists, just a "certified authority"

-As if  just saying the words, "certified authority," gave anything credibility.   

Trying to get the sales pitch in at the first chance...

Saidme,

Dito!

Saidme, The Shadow....

The paragraph that I spoke of was from the US Customs Inspector/Canine Enforcement Officer test.

Interesting-  Maybe a Customs person can address their use of polygraphs. 

They say, in the interview, that you can be subjected to a polygraph test for the Inspector, CEO, and Special Agent postion.  

However, from what I have found out from asking Customs people is, that they do not polygraph at all for the Inspector/ CEO and hardly ever for the SA position. 

I know of two people who have become Inspectors - they did not have to take a poly.

I know of three people who have become Special Agents for Customs and none of them were required to take a poly.

Saidme, I will leave the conjuring to you, but I appreciate the accusation that I made up my initial post.  

That should be the polygraph motto:  Accuse, Accuse, Accuse.

Congratulations!  I don't know what kind of position you'll be in but if it's in an investigatory position you may have the need to polygraph (yes I said polygraph) a suspect down the road.  How will you reconcile this based on your views of polygraph?  Will you pass up the opportunity and not use an investigative step that could solve the case?  Or will you just figure, oh what the hell, another one get's away!  Regarding your background investigation.  They're usually a joke.  The guys and gals who do them have a standard set of questions they ask everybody.  I don't even think I would call them background investigations.  Probably more like background inquiries.   

Customs has hired one hell of an investigator! 8)

Batman,

From what I have learned hear (and in the 'real' world) -having someone pass a poly does not really mean that they told the truth.   The article in the Times about Sadam's goons passing, but obviously lying is an example.

If my sup tells me to let the polygrapher have a shot- I will.  I follow the rules.  I understand that there are people with more experience than me- and I am eager to learn new techniques.

But if that person passed it would not rule them out in my mind, unless there was other information backing up that persons story-  and that tends to be a problem- some people believe that a pass means that the person is golden!  I would not assume that at all.

Likewise if a person failed a poly, but gave no confession and denied lying, I could not just discard the information that he provided.

Different Agenices use the poly to check their CI's claims.  Some do, some don't.  I don't know if Customs does.

My point is that checking and double checking from another angle is always a good idea.

Waiting for new developments-  I did not mean to suggest siting in the office and counting sheep.  It has been my experience that why an investigation in on going, often times new pieces of the puzzle appear and new information can change the way something is approached.   

It has also been my experience that prosecutors like cases that are solid and fact based.  Prosecutors like cases that are slam dunks for a good reason- its important to get it right.

As for what I will do-  I will do what I think is right!  Its worked in the past and lets me sleep at night.

Saidme,

Don't like prosecutors either.  Man, who do you like?- just polygraphers?

When everyone is the enemy it is time to go back to cloud city!!!

Saidme,

Again, you assume without knowing...

As I posted elsewhere, I have years of law enforcement experience and putting people behind bars.  I left LE for a few years but missed it too much.  Now I am back.   

So, thanks for your offer, but no thanks!!