If you guys don't remember, I had a long thread that updated my polytest results for a large metropolitan southern CA police department. My first test, did not go that well and it came up inconclusive. I recently took my second test and..

PASSED!

This most recent test was exactly like the one I took before it in every way down to the things the poly examiner said to me. I know they must memorize their little speech from a booklet since he repeated the exact SAME dialogue that the first poly examiner did. Like the first examine, this person was pretty friendly as well and didn't try the "stress" tactics i've heard about. 

I did what you guys told me to do and deployed countermeasures during the control questions with appropriate physiological responses. This time however I did NOT countermeasure the irrelevant questions. I think that was my biggest mistake last time and the reason why my whole test came up as inconclusive. Anyhow, they worked like a charm and if anything i'm living proof on how B.S. the whole polygraph test is. It's a sham and I do not even want to know how many people were accused of lying and given a false positive that tested before me. Oh by the way, the ONLY reason I did this was not because i'm a liar but because i've heard so many horror stories of false positives. I made sure to prepare myself before beginning polygraph testing and it has paid off.

There are also some important psychological things that should also accompany anyone preparing to go through a polygraph test..

1) Always go in with a calm smooth demeanor.. I noticed both times that I went this was very important. Be as passive as possible, do not confront the polygraph examiner in any way.

2) When actually taking the test try not to focus on the details of the question. This will only get yourself worked up and might even produce a false positive. Think of the questions as meaningless when you answer until you want to augment the appropriate control questions with your own physical responses.

3) NEVER ever tell the poly examiner you know anything about countermeasures for defeating the test. I was asked this TWICE each time by the examiner and I played dumb..it felt too much like he was probing for a reason to DQ me right then and there.

4) Some people discourage this, but try to be friendly to the poly examiner. The poly examiner still determines your fate as an applicant, even though you know the whole ordeal is a long song and dance you still have to play poker to win. 

Anyways, I hope this helps soon to be applicants on their own test.. I think as many have already stated that this test is ultimately detrimental to the law enforcement profession rather than beneficial. This test my be unfairly penalizing law abiding honest applicants and further shrinking the eligible recruit pool of talented people. 

Comments are certainly welcome.

1) Always go in with a calm smooth demeanor.. I noticed both times that I went this was very important. Be as passive as possible, do not confront the polygraph examiner in any way.

NATE: I think the first time it's expected to be nervous, but after the first one this could look suspicious to the examiner.  I did exactly what you did on my last exam, kept my cool and looked confident. 

2) When actually taking the test try not to focus on the details of the question. This will only get yourself worked up and might even produce a false positive. Think of the questions as meaningless when you answer until you want to augment the appropriate control questions with your own physical responses.

NATE: I read that "intelligent" people have problems with this and false positives because like you said they look into the question more.  An intelligent person will be looking at the question from all different angles and are more likely to show a response to a question than from the dumb jock that hears "blah blah blah".

3) NEVER ever tell the poly examiner you know anything about countermeasures for defeating the test. I was asked this TWICE each time by the examiner and I played dumb..it felt too much like he was probing for a reason to DQ me right then and there.

NATE: I told the examiner everything that I knew but I did play "dumb" on when asked if I knew about countermeasures.  I said "I heard you can use a tack in your shoe but that's it".  I think took off my shoe and laughed.  I thought if I told him I knew about them he would think "he studied on how to beat the polygraph so I bet he will employ them". I “did not" use countermeasures but respect anyone that does because of the reasons you pointed out.

4) Some people discourage this, but try to be friendly to the poly examiner. The poly examiner still determines your fate as an applicant, even though you know the whole ordeal is a long song and dance you still have to play poker to win. 

NATE: I agree 100%.  In my opinion, they have the power on whether they think you will be a good police officer or not.  Acting like you have no social skills or are rude, could tell the examiner you might not be qualified and fail you.  I was told by an examiner that knew my first examiner, and that he does this all the time. He said this was the reason why he got into polygraph.   

“In order to be a champion you must do what the champion does!”
             -Dr. Jackson, Wichita State University-

Dear Anon, "Life is but a stage....."

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