I agree. Polygraphs are inteaded to scare the poeple who don't know how they work. They are merely and interagation tool for confessions. I have been a law enforcement officer now for several years and have taken taken several polygraphs to get to where I am now. When I first started my law enforcement career several years ago, I had nerver taken a ploygraph and quite frankly where scared to death of them. I applied to a state agency and took the ploygraph three times. I told the same information on all three ploygraphs and failed the first two and passed the third. I went on to finish the whole hiring process but was not hired becuase I didn't have a college education at the time, or so they say. I then proceded on to apply to another department and take their polygraph as well.  This time I researched this "so-called" proven science as I was told. I learned about the tricks used by the examiners againest their examinees. Now I must say that I had nothing to hide when I took my previous poly test and I told the truth and still failed the first two. I then took my third with the same agency and told the exact same information and passed prior to educated myself as to how they actually worked.   

All polygraphs that I have taken were all the CQT ones. Once I learned how the tests are conducted I felt more comfortable taking the poly test and passing it. Since I am a cop I can consider why we use this machine againest criminals. It is truely a good iterragation tool but it has no sciencetific backing to prove its relieabilty, thus why it is not allowed in court. I have consulted with other polygraph examiners after becoming a cop and they all have confirmed the same thing. They assume if you react to a control question more then a relavent then you are telling the truth and vise versa. They also cannot really tell if countermeasures are being use unless you of course admitt to it. I have seen and heard alot of good people get turned down for law enforcement positions simply because they told the truth and failed the polygraph. I am a prime example. I have since taken another and passed having been educated, and yes I did employ countermeasures which were not detected. 

I do agree however with some of the other postings I have read from the other examiners on this site stating that educating the sex offenders and other criminals is bad because we need to put these type of people behind bars but it is also good to educate the truthfull people who just want to pursue thier dreams and its not fair to "fail" them for telling the truth and not "reacting" the way they should on a crude instument.  Polygraphs should utimately be done away with until they can provide concrete evidence that they can actually detect know liars. I believe if you do a sound and through background check on an applicant and his references/employment you should discover what type of person he/she really is.

You of all people know that a simply polygraph cannot determine a persons background. Thats why a though background check needs to be completed. Polygraphs alone do not stop bad guys from being hired. Totality of the circumstances remember? but there are a few that sometime slips through the cracks. 

Look I'm not here to get into a pissing contest with anyone. Quite frankly I find it childish. I'm also not interested in "attacking" any examiner. I understand you have a job as well and I suppose I would be defensive if someone were to attack my profession. I merely wanted to post my experiences and comments about the polygraph process. Take them for what you want.

tbld is now an ex member, gone or reinvented.  Also, Rice80 cannot be a cop.  He could have never passed the written test.  I never judge someone by misspelled words on these sites because I have made them also.  But come on, this guy can't write.

Rice80 if you have taken 3 polygraphs, prove it.

Wonder_Woman wrote on Oct 7^th, 2007 at 2:37am:


i know plenty of cops who cant spell... First, spelling has nothign to do with being a LEO...majority of reports are done by compter ''spell check'' Its is ok to make a spelling mistake ty. Second, written tests arent that hard.....Last i dont think rice80 will ''prove'' that he has taken 3 polygraphs...Hey WW here are the names dates of my pg examiner etc blah blah why would you want him to prove anything to you? my guess is so you could call and tattle on him... huh ''bucko'' ''bub'' maybe??

tbld wrote on Oct 7^th, 2007 at 10:17pm:


Ole toothless wonder, bucko, bub.  I said he couldn't write.   Why is it that you guys want us all to 'prove' things when in fact you never offer up anything substantial to confirm you 'supposedly failed 1-2-3 polygraphs'.  Bottom line is I don't believe you.

BTW, your 9/20 post says EX member. BOOMSHAKALAKA

Sarge, you or anyone else could send me a PM.  If I was able to verify the info, I would appologize for having my doubts and I wouldn't reveal the info on this site.

Bucko - the toothless wonder came from your photo!  Also, next time try to be creative and not copy Sarge's post.