A few weeks ago I began to ungergo a "background check" by a police department I was hoping to become employed with.  I was applying for a civilian position yet was still required to jump through all the hoops.  I was first required to pass an employment screening test.  After that I was selected for an actual "job interview."  My interviewers really liked me and decided that they would continue with the employment process and have me undergo a background check.  I didn't get very far in the background check because I failed every single relevant question on the voice stress test.  They didn't tell me this was the reason they wouldn't hire me but I knew this was why because they hadn't gathered any other information on my background.  None of my employers or other references were called.  I have been a model citizen and employee and if they continued their background check they would have found that out.  I've never even had a speeding ticket.  Anyway, as far as the test results of the "lie detector" I can tell you that I was not lying on any of the questions they asked me!!!!!  After the test was administered I was told by the cop that I showed very strong deception on every question.  I was adamant that I was not lying (and I wasn't!!) so he administered the test two more times with the same results.  Until I talked to the PD again to find out the bad news, I thought for sure they only used this device as a way to scare confessions out of people.  Well, apparently they actually believe the results!!!

After this ordeal I have decided that I will not continue a career in the criminal justice setting.  If a company is going to base the quality of their candidate on a crackpot test then I'm not interested in working for them.  I'm sure there are countless cool-as-a- cucumber deceptive people that passed the test with flying colors and are now employed with the PD.  What concerns me is that if so much weight is placed on this test, then key facts that are actually in a person's background will be missed.  C'est la vie.  Because of blind and ignorant faith the PD has just passed up a loyal and trustworthy person.

Welp, I'm actually a girl. 

Thanks for wishing me luck.  I've decided to apply to law school.  I figure I have a better chance at that then continuing to play the game of chance with law enforcement agencies..

Amethyst

You should make it a point of telling the Chief that the CEO of the company that makes the CVSA has stated, in court I believe, the machine has no ability to distinguish between truth or lie. Then write a letter to the editor of the local paper with the information.

Good luck in becoming a lawyer.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I too believed in the polygraph. Then I took one. 

Trust me, I will never EVER submit to one of these again. I am actually a person who can probably never pass such a test because I get so nervous in situations like this. I also over-think my answers so I'm sure I look deceptive.

The truth is, I just want to be honest. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to say "I don't know" so I feel like I was forced to lie. (When I don't know is the correct response.)Nov 24^th, 2007 at 9:02pm