So I took my poly yesterday morning.. It started off terrible.. I was nervous as hell and The guy met me and had me wait 45 mins due to his "copy machine breaking" Then we went into the room where the machine was and said he had to wait on a friend to bring him something.. another 15mins went by or so. We went over the pre screening packet, then he showed me the questions he would ask... he asked me if I felt uncomfortable about any of the questions.. I said no.  He explained the test and how it would work, said he would run a minimum of 2 charts, no more than 4, and would repeat any questions that I may have difficulty with. He stated he didnt like reporting that anyone failed so I needed to be completely honest. 

We started the test.. It took no longer than 5mins, he only asked maybe 8 questions, never repeated any of them.... said he was finished... showed me my chart.. showed me what normal breathing was like.. and showed me how different mine was.. he said it was probably because I was nervous.. he recommended I "count" inbetween questions. 

2nd test began and he asked basically the same 8 questions, never repeated any.. finished the test. Asked me if any questions made me uncomfortable.. I responded no.. He then showed me my chart and he had written where I took and I quote, " 2 minor deep breaths, and I swallowed once"  He never pointed out which question, never question my intent. He just stated it would take longer than normal because he had to get someone to review it with him. He was nice guy, he walked me out, and asked what I had to do next with the department..  thats it.. a total test time of no more than 20 mins... but total time I was there was close to 3 hours... Im confused on if I passed or not.  Ive read about post test interrogations, I didnt have that, and he never said I was lying or anything... So what do I make of all this???  please help !! I appreciate everything

  Just got off the phone with the Police Department; and I must say.. im confused with what they said. They had a changed attitude, and he told me that my test came back inconclusive and they couldnt tell whether I was telling the truth or lying.. No second shot, no reason behind it.. WHAT THE F...??? he said my breathing was unstable. It was my very last process in the application, everything else was finished.. why would I not get another shot ??? It doesnt make sense. im so mad I cant even see straight !! 

I always thought inconclusive means the test can't be scored at all, pass or fail.

I'd appeal and request a re-test.  Sounds fishy to me.

Cobrastang18 wrote on Jul 25^th, 2006 at 1:01am:


CobraStang18,

From your descriptions it sounds like they did a chart roll on you. What that means is they went through the motions of hiring you, but they really had no intent on doing so. Because you only had 8 questions and it didn't follow any of the CQT / LEO type testing formats. I highly suspect that you were done in, long before you sat in the chair. Its sad you had to go through this, but if you have your heart set on becoming a police officer, try another department.  I wish you much success.

Regards .....