I recently took a polygraph for the Secret Service Uniformed Division. Until that point I was highly qualified for the job. I knew that I had proven myself to be a top candidate and I thought that the polygraph was just a formality or at least partially accurate. Unfortunately it was none of these things. All that I knew about the polygraph before I took it was that it will be "the worst four hours of your life". This is what several Secret Service agents told me before I went in. Needless to say this made me a bit nervous. I was even more nervous when I found out that a number of candidates who took the polygraph before me were failing the test during the drug use questions. This is where it gets interesting. I've never done, bought, sold, transported or even thought about doing any illegal drugs. I've never even smoked a cigarette in my life but for some reason the agents never believed me when I told them this. At one point I was told by an agent that if "I were to go home tonight and suddenly remember that I had done drugs then it wouldn't be too late to change that section of your application". I got the feeling that they actually wanted me to go home and do drugs just so I'd have something to admit to. When I actually took the test I was so nervous that I failed for 3 things including drugs and serious crimes. I couldn't believe it. I had spent my entire life being "good" just so I could live out my dream and be in the Secret Service. It only took them one moment to take that all away from me. What should I do? These people disgraced me and I can't do anything about it. I just want my reputation back. Would it be a waste of my time and money to sue them? I just can't believe that our "elite" law enforcement agencies actually rely on the notion there is such a thing as a "lie detector".
QuoteWhat should I do? These people disgraced me and I can't do anything about it. I just want my reputation back. Would it be a waste of my time and money to sue them?
Don't take this sitting down. You can start by appealing the termination of your application for employment and demanding release of the US Secret Service's records about you under the Privacy Act. See Chapter 5 of
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (http://antipolygraph.org/pubs.shtml) on grievance procedures.
Washington, DC attorney Mark S. Zaid is representing eleven applicants for employment who are suing the federal government over its use of polygraphy. You can contact him to discuss your legal options. You can reach him by e-mail to ZaidMS@aol.com or at:
Mark S. Zaid, Esq.
Lobel, Novins & Lamont
1275 K Street, N.W.
Suite 770
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 371-6626
(202) 371-6643 fax
Filings from these cases are posted on this website at:
http://antipolygraph.org/litigation.shtml#zaid
In addition, see the statements of other Secret Service applicants on AntiPolygraph.org at:
http://antipolygraph.org/statements.shtml
Many others have been through the same abuse that you did. Please consider writing a public statement of your own.
I strongly suggest you write to both your senators and representative in the House regarding your experience with the polygraph, and ask that they help sponsor a comprehensive Polygraph Protection Act that will remove the governmental exemptions from the 1988 Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
Dear screwed,
Welcome to our club, you are now an honorary member. This sucks doesn't it?
>:(
Screwed,
QuoteI just can't believe that our "elite" law enforcement agencies actually rely on the notion there is such a thing as a "lie detector".
The Secret Service has arguably the most abusive pre-employment polygraph in the entire United States. This "elite" agency's child-like faith in this 1920s technology is truly difficult to believe.
You'll want to check out http://www.stoppolygraph.com. This is a site run by a police detective who applied for employment with the Secret Service and had the same experience that you did. Also, send me an e-mail at scalabrini@antipolygraph.org. I have some other information that you may find of interest.
THE POLYGRAPH
It is an unfortunate fate that we all share - I
am deeply saddened by the actions of the examiner
and his cronies - but even more saddened that these
are the guys who are protecting the Republic.
While violent crime, predjudice and drugs tear our
country apart, hard working, tax paying and law
obeying candidates are being robbed of their
dignity through the abuse of a machine that measures
sweat and heart rate. Once all the law abiders have been successfully removed from the applicant pool then all that are left are good actors and or liers.
I cannot over estimate the tremendous fear I have for the future of our country.
This kind of garbage is ruining our country's future! Promising young people are being removed from contention for important security positions like the Secret Service based on anitquated, inaqurate technology. I know several individuals such as yourself that have had similar experiences with the polygraph machine and they were relegated to careers that could never take full advantage of their potential. The fact that the U.S. government relies on such a pre-historic machine to differentiate between possible candidates to protect our future is nothing less than frightening. I only pray that this policy is changed quickly so that we can finally rest assured that the true cream of the crop are the only ones responsible for guarding our lives.
God help you. The same thing happened to my brother and I've lost all of the faith that I've had in our outdated and ludacris system of law enforcement. As far as I'm concerned the method with which we prosecute our criminals is equivalent to the Salem witch trials. It freightens me that an agency as inept as the Secret Service is entrusted with so many truly important duties.