Our Agency, a Sheriff's Office in the metro Atlanta area does not use the polygraph for pre-employment screening.  The reason we don't is for many of the very valid reasons mentioned in this forum.  We do however, conduct a very intensive and detailed background investigation on new applicants that invariably trims the pool of applicants from many to a few.  We insist on truthfulness and candor and will go to great lengths to prove that what an applicant tells us is true.  Any deception is a disqualifier.

Now we tell applicants up front a few things.  Some of them are:

1-misdemeanor marijuana usage, as long as it's 6 months old is NOT a disqualifier per se.

2-Any other drug is a disqualifier.

3-Any felony is a disqualifier.

4-A pattern of misdemeanors that may "tend" to establish poor judgement or a disregard for the law is a disqualifier.

5. Any conviction for family violence is a disqualifier (can't carry a gun)

6. Very poor credit is not a disqualifier per se but can become one when mixed with any other factors. Not a per se disqualifier because anybody can fall on hard times.

What we have found is that we seem to get a better grade of applicant, i.e. we have to terminate them less frequently than some of the agencies that use polygraph and psychological tests.  If you survive the BI, and if you pass the selection board, we are genuinely happy to have you.

Now we do use the polygraph for specific crimes and selected internal investigations. We just don't like them for pre-employment fishing expeditions.  It may help that our Sheriff was once a victim of one of these tests.

Yes, the BI is more expensive to do, and it takes longer.  We like it though and it has been worth it to us.

Why are other "drugs" a factor for DQ's? I rather know what someone feels like, for example. You get tasered and gased and pepper spayed? I used narcs, and I no longer do nor do I ever feel like I want to. No rehab, removed all "friends" that indulge in them. I just grew up and I was never a "junkie" per se  . Why the hell does this prevent me from protecting others from the crap I once did. I know better than most cops about the effects of these things 1st hand. I just know I'm a natural at helping others. I don't wanna save foundations either. haha j/k!

Smokey,

Some states require all peace officer candidates to undergo a polygraph.  Some states prohibit a polygraph.  Some states do not require a polygraph but allow a department to require one if it so desires.  Even in the Federal government some departments require a polygraph while others do not.  It all depends.