Phil413 wrote on Oct 31^st, 2005 at 7:43pm:


That seems quite likely.

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There may not be a statewide polygraph database, but you'll be asked about applications with prior agencies. And, in any event, polygraphers always ask about any prior polygraphs you've taken.

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Some do.

One option you might consider is to move to a city or state that does not polygraph. In this regard, see the message thread, List of Non-Poly LE agencies?  Want to start one?

I fully empathasize with your situation. I also volunteered to support my local police department (LAPD) as an unpaid, technical reservist to provide linguistic support to the Anti-Terrorist Division. I ended up being falsely accused of countermeasures by one of the rudest, most unprofessional public employees I've ever had the misfortune to meet. No good deed goes unpunished, I suppose.

I was currently in the process to be hired on as a patrol officer for the city that I currently work for.  On the first poly, the examiner said that I was being deceptive on two issues (my background info and my alcohol use).
They let me retest, the second time they said that I was being deceptive on the alcohol issues.  The second time I offered them blood to test for alcohol.  I had my results looked at by another certified examiner.  This person told me that the questions they asked were invalid.  The third question on alcohol was the relevant question that I answered yes to.  The examiner told me that they are trained that no one answers that question with a "yes".  The question that I was asked was "Have you been completely honest about your alcohol use?"  This is the one that I answered yes to.  So it is a double edge sword.  Had I answered no, they would have turned around and said that I lied, and by answering yes, they are automatically going to fail me, because they were trained to.  The second examiner told me that any examiner can pass or fail someone.  It all depends on how they word the question, time spent in the interview process, and so on.  So to answer your question, I believe that it all depends on the city and the examiner.  If they truely want you to pass, you will.  Remember, the agency that you apply for, no matter who they use, pays for the examination to be conducted.  Even if you pay for the second exam, you will be more than likely told that you have to use the same company or people that they use, in order for them to accept the results.  Also; don't think for a second that the poly is final, there are still other options you can go through.  Most agency's were I live do not hold the poly results at a high stature.  For some reason, the department that I work for do.  I'm still considering other options to take, including filing complaints with the city and looking at other options.  Explore what the laws say in your state and what your options are.