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APA Complaint

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Author	Topic: APA Complaint
Lieguy Member	posted 04-07-2004 01:52 PM I have a complaint about a situation we encountered in Boise on January 8, 2004. At a conference in Boise, Idaho entitled "Dealing with Sex Offenders in the 21st Century" my partner and I (both examiners) were in attendence with about 100 therapists, probation officers, judges and others involved in sex offender treatment. Dr. Anna Salter gave an excellent presentation on sex offender professional practices and she was highly complimentary of the polygraph profession in the treatment process. Sandra Gray, M.Ed., was also a presenter specifically dealing with post-conviction sex offender polygraph testing. I was looking forward to the presentation. Ms. Gray stated that she is the head of the APA's PCSOT Committee. Imagine my surprise when Sandra Gray proceeded to say that she believes that only therapists and people who have a therapeatutic background with advanced formal education in counseling should be PCSOT certified examiners. She went on to say "what you don't want under any circumstances is some guy who's been a police examiner for 20 years doing your sex offender testing." Since I am a police examiner, I was highly offended by her comments. I thought I would let everyone in this forum know that the head of APA's PCSOT program does not think most of us should even be testing sex offenders. Isn't it ironic how therapists with master's degrees think they are the only ones who can adequately perform polygraph testing......while PhD's think they are the only ones who can adequately test? I think if Ms. Gray is going to publicly identify herself as the head of APA's PCSOT committee, then her views should reflect APA's certification standards. If she has other personal feelings, then she shouldn't use her APA status to establish her bonafides. Sincerely, Chip Morgan Boise Police Department (208) 373-5488 AAPP #1646 PCSOT Certified IP: Logged
Barry C Member	posted 04-08-2004 06:58 AM Did she explain her reasoning? If so, I'd be curious to know what it is. Also, have you contacted the APA? That would seem to make the most sense. IP: Logged
skipwebb Member	posted 04-08-2004 08:14 AM My remarks in this forum are my own and should not be construed as the official position of the APA nor am I speaking on behalf of our President. My remarks in this forum are my opnion as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and a three term past president of our organization. With that said, I am compleed to state that comments such as those alleged are harmful to our organization and can destroy much of what we have worked for many years to accomplish. We have established APA PCSOT standards for certification and testing and to have our own chairperson make a statement that only examiners with “therapeatutic background... with advanced formal education in counseling should be PCSOT certified examiners” is both self ingratiating, in my opinion and in direct contravention to our established APA standards for PCSOT testing. Additionally to add "what you don't want under any circumstances is some guy who's been a police examiner for 20 years doing your sex offender testing." Is a direct affront to every police officer who is a member of our organization whether he or she conducts PCSOT testing or not. It implies that a career in law enforcement somehow ruins an officer's objectivity and makes the officer unsuitable for conducting a fair and equitable polygraph examination. I am absolutely appalled that Ms. Gray would make a statement such as those attributed to her in a public forum composed of treatment personnel, probation personnel and judges. To do so after identifying herself as the “Head of the APA PCSOT Committee” tends to lend support to her opinions that are neither shared by the Board of Directors or in concert with our Standards of Practice of the APA. I was not present at the seminar in question, so my comments are made under the asumption that Ms. Gray has not been misquoted or her remarks taken out of context. I can assure you that the APA does not hold the opinion that only "therapists and people who have a therapeatutic background" should conduct PCSOT testing, nor does the organization believe that "what you don't want under any circumstances is some guy who's been a police examiner for 20 years doing your sex offender testing." Anyone who has undergone the requisite training and has received PCSOT certification should be adquately trained and capable of conducting PCSOT testing provided the other prerequisites have been met and the member adheres to our standards of practice. IP: Logged
Lieguy Member	posted 04-08-2004 10:16 AM Hi Barry; Yes, I am contact with Skip Webb from the APA who assures me that Ms. Gray does NOT reflect APA's position on PCSOT testing. This is not a burning issue with me, I just was disappointed at her statements, especially in light of the fact that many non-polygraph people were in attendance at the seminar. I guess Ms. Gray's husband is a PhD and they have a sex offender practice wherein he treats people and she polygraphs them. She stated she comes from a treatment background and she feels that gives her better insight on sex offenders than the rest of us. One lady's opinion, I just wish she wouldn't have blasted me in public! Chip IP: Logged
nonameone Member	posted 04-14-2004 11:13 AM Lieguy: When I joined the Police Dept. in 1966 I was told by an FBI instructor that during my caree inlaw enforcement I would find that we would meet more resistance from the mecial and teaching profession than any other. Couldnt help stating that ater reading your post. IP: Logged
LouRovner Administrator	posted 04-17-2004 05:12 AM Many therapists think that they are much better than they actually are. So long as Ms. Gray doesn't influence policy, her opinion is just that - her opinion. ------------------ Louis Rovner, Ph.D. Rovner & Associates LouRovner@aol.com IP: Logged
J L Ogilvie Moderator	posted 04-19-2004 04:27 PM Sorry Lou,I disagree. It may be her opinion and she has a right to that. She is still making disparaging remarks about other examiners. Even if she is doing it by group rather than individual. She is also not doing it in casual conversation but in a setting that could damage someone's business or professional reputation. Directly affecting their earning potential. That is if she actually made those statements as reported. I don't know if she did or did not. I was not present. IP: Logged
Ted Todd Member	posted 04-19-2004 05:01 PM Lou, I agree with Jack. I doubt Chip would have made this post if he had not heard what he said he heard. I was not here either but I think she was way out of line with her remarks. Ted IP: Logged

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