Hello all,

I'm just wondering: when a law enforcement pre-employment polygraph is administered, what are the general chances of an applicant passing who makes no further admissions (other than what was disclosed on the background questionaire) during the polygraph?  Even if I am nervous or a certain question surprises me or evokes a response, will I be okay so long as I stick to my previously disclosed answers?   

I am testing for my local PD (Phoenix) and I have a college degree and high physical and written test scores, so I assume that I make an attractive candidate.  However, the idea that my future with PPD could ride on an examiners interpretations of my physiological responses scares the hell out of me.   I am confident that I have done nothing that could get me disqualified and in a perfect world, all I would have to do is walk in there and tell the truth.  Unfortunately, I know its not that simple. 

By the way, I am still debating the use of countermeasures.  Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any insights you all may have to my previously posed questions.   

(Polygraph examiners who post here: please don't bother posting any replies.  Nothing you can say can convince me that polygraph tests are anything more than a psychological billy club that intimidates people into making damaging admissions)

Andrew

Don't believe everything you read.  I'm sure the Phoenix PD has competent polygraph examiners.  If you have nothing to hide then you'll do just fine.  If you get caught using CM's or even if they suspect you of using CM's, bye-bye job.  Don't risk it.

Orolan

You wrote:

"but you will know that it was a corrupt examination or examiner that cost you the job."

Are you implying (or outright saying) polygraph examiners are corrupt?   

Saidme,
What I said was that if Andrew tells the truth, knows he is telling the truth, and fails the test, then yes, the polygrapher is corrupt. Or is that too "strong"? Maybe I should have said idiotic, incompetent or ignorant? Would that make you feel better?

The poly sucks! We're all worried about getting past it, and some of us do and some don't! I think the whole screening process for a police officer, while necessary, is too stressful. Here's a tip that worked for me. When I went to my last poly, as soon as the examiner hooked me up, I just began reciting the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics in my head, over and over, word for word. I would only allow myself enough break to hear her question and respond, then pick up on the word I left off on. Just keep a focus, be honest, and cross your fingers. The test really is subjective, and out of the 4 I've taken, I've only "passed" one.

Well, gee, Bob, is the polygraph detecting lies or is it not? Oh wait, it only detects physiological responses which the shaman, er, polygrapher, "interprets."