As a new member to the site, it occurs to me that listing the LE Depts that choose not to utilize the polygraph exam as a condition of hiring should be publicized on this site. I seek to start this in the hopes that those depts may see boosted recruiting numbers from aspiring law enforcement candidates who, despite being truthful, had failed their polygraph. While the inevitable feedback from pro-polygraph members would be that this would also give a list of depts to deceptive candidates, my response would be that that's what background investigations are for! 8) Also, if those depts that don't polygraph see boosted recruitment numbers, that may encourage depts that do polygraph who are hurting for applicants to reconsider including the polygraph in their recruitment process.
Any ideas?
Responding to myself, it appears I'm not the only one one this board that has attempted such a list - however, depts get added and subtracted piecemeal and unreliably. I will start with the depts that we know for sure that don't. Once we are finished, I would hope a definitive list is compiled and stickied for future reference:
All of MA depts
NYPD
NJ State Police
Minnesota Cities/Towns
State of Oregon does not poly. I could be wrong, but with the exception of the FBI I don't think federal LE agencies poly...or randomly poly a cross section of applicants.
Philadelphia & Pittsburgh departments don't polygraph, and I've heard the Supreme Court Police don't polygraph, either.
Here's the updated list:
Massachusetts Cities/Towns
Minnesota Cities/Towns
Oregon Cities/Towns
New York City PD (NYPD)
City of Philadelphia
City of Pittsburgh
New Jersey State Police
-Supreme Court Police (unconfirmed)
*adding on, most federal agencies do require the polygraph, perhaps not on initial entry but at some point early in their career every federal agent would have to.
you can confirm that supreme court police. a friend just got in last year, never got polygraphed, and a friend is going through the process now, and he also said they dont polygraph.
when i went through Los Angeles PD in 1994, i wasn't poly'd. but again, it was in 1994.
LAPD has required pre-employment polygraph screening for a number of years now; the failure rate is on the order of 50%.
Quote from: Random_Man on Jul 19, 2006, 08:57 PMHere's the updated list:
Massachusetts Cities/Towns
Minnesota Cities/Towns
Oregon Cities/Towns
New York City PD (NYPD)
City of Philadelphia
City of Pittsburgh
New Jersey State Police
-Supreme Court Police (unconfirmed)
*adding on, most federal agencies do require the polygraph, perhaps not on initial entry but at some point early in their career every federal agent would have to.
I think Pittsburgh does poly. It says they do on there website.
just had a friend hired last year with pittsburgh last year. the website also said the polygraph is included with the background check, but he said he wasn't polygraphed. either the department only poly's some applicants, or they don't do it at all. it could be there for the future, but i'm not 100% sure.
ALL Florida agencies' hiring requirements are available via the Florida Dept of Law Enforcement (including polygraph and/or voice stress). Visit http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJST/cjap/2005/general/Indexcjap2005.html and then click (for example) law enforcement -> police departments -> requirements -> table 3. Sheriffs offices, state agencies, ports, and schools are also available. Good luck to all.
Quote from: HipHipA-nonymous on Oct 10, 2006, 03:42 PMALL Florida agencies' hiring requirements are available via the Florida Dept of Law Enforcement (including polygraph and/or voice stress). Visit http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJST/cjap/2005/general/Indexcjap2005.html and then click (for example) law enforcement -> police departments -> requirements -> table 3. Sheriffs offices, state agencies, ports, and schools are also available. Good luck to all.
I do believe that all FL agencies either do polygraph or voice stress. VS is big down there because the NITV is located down that way and have a pretty good sales presence. Am I correct that all require either one, or the other? I used to keep up down that way
No, you're not correct. That's why I provided the link.
For instance, in Hillsborough County required poly, Palm Beach County requires voice stress analysis, and Highlands County requires neither.
Quote from: HipHipA-nonymous on Oct 11, 2006, 01:34 AMNo, you're not correct. That's why I provided the link.
For instance, in Hillsborough County required poly, Palm Beach County requires voice stress analysis, and Highlands County requires neither.
Well then, that is at least the 2nd mistake I've made today. And I have now seen the link LOL
Chicago Police dept.
The state of Oregon and Montana do not use the polygraph.
The California dept. of Corrections the largest law enforcement agency in the world does not use it either.
The LAPD started using it about 5 years ago.
Anything other than that I do not know about. The California Highway Patrol uses the voice stress analyzer.
I took a polygraph to become a Reserve Officer in Washington state, I failed it the first time and then took it again a year later with the same examiner for a different agency and passed it.
I even admitted more in the second test.
What a joke.
"Even" admitted more?
shouldn't that simply read "I admitted more"?
maybe you passed because you DID admit.
I'm totally anti-polygraph but you've got to come up with a more convincing argument than that.
Darkclaw,
Mr._ Olympia fails to understand that the information he disclosed in the referenced polygraph was obviously within acceptable parameters IAW the LE agency policies in which he applied. Even the FBI accepts a small degree of drug use as long as it does not exceed the acceptable parameters as set forth.
triple x
As far as I know Rhode Island departments do not use the test either.
Did you guys know that it's really scientifically possible to detect if a person has ever used (non-polar molecule, e.g. marijuana) drugs in their entire lives? Simply obtain through liposuction a 50 gm sample of human fat, extract and concentrate it. Then use readily available instrumentation to quantify and characterize. Um, the missing fat cells may be rapidly replaced by consuming vast quantities of Dankin Donets.
So, it is not necessary for law enforcement to use unreliable polygraph testing to discern drug usage history. Real science may be utilized.
Hey JB,
The US Border and Customs Patrol don't polygraph, Abuddy of mine just got hired last year and he was never poly'd.
Rice
California Dept. of Corrections does not Polly. The DOD Police do not Poly. I would think that most University Police do not Polly as well. I think that the SDSherrif Dept. does polly but their limitations on drugs is not so bad. Not sure about SD city police though.
Hi All,
I dug this up from an earlier post and it is still accuarte
You can try the CA Youth Authority, CA Dept. of Corrections, CA State Parole and many other state LE agencies except the CA Dept of Justice(they do poly), The LA Unified School District Police use the poly now, LA Airport Police and The Port of Los Angeles Police are agencies that do NOT poly.
Another point to remember is that that you found this website and you can learn the truth and get educated. Consider applying to other agencies that use a poly, read The Lie Behind The Lie Detector and be ready to pass
You can check the CA state personnel board site for state LE jobs //www.spb.ca.gov
Fred F. ;)
Michigan is free of polygraphs, no department conducts them.
Border Patrol
ICE
CBP
Use Polygraph on a case by case basis for now. But expect them to implement it full time in the near future.
I am an undergraduate accounting student who would like to get a job with the federal or state government. My freshman year of college was a mess. I used drugs for a while mostly pot and even sold mushrooms a few times.(bad decision) :(
I no longer use drugs of any kind. I am not a dishonest person I have never stolen or cheated. I understand the CIA would never take me but would I have a shot with the IRS? Do they polygraph test? How about the government of CA?
Departments that don't polygraph:
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police (NOT to be confused with Washington Area Metro Transit Authority who use CVSA)
US Park Police
TSA Federal Air Marshal Service
Quote from: (unknown) on Nov 20, 2009, 12:54 PMDepartments that don't polygraph:
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police (NOT to be confused with Washington Area Metro Transit Authority who use CVSA)
US Park Police
TSA Federal Air Marshal Service
I have a question because I am confused about all of this. The TSA is a federal law enforcement agency ... I thought all federal law enforcement agencies were required to utilize the polygraph to determine truthfulness, honesty and integrity. But if that is not the case, then why is there disparity and lack on continuity within the federal government for using this tool? It would seem to me that there are valid concerns/reasoning that justify NOT using the polygraph. So my question to the legislators is why are other government agencies still using it if it doesn't provide a true indicator of a person's honesty and trustworthiness?? (Just asking because I am confused by all of this)...or is it just all a political decision that is used within each individual agency?
BBernie
I read your posts and you ask some pretty good questions. Why don't you write your legislators and ask them about their federal polygraph policy? (IF) they answer and the answer is not to your liking, then why not campaign against them. They sure will not agree to be polygraphed to hold their jobs. While you're at it, ask them how they will/did vote on legislation that is taking this country down, i.e. Cap and Trade, socialized health care, NAFTA and the UN's:Law of the Sea Treaty.
Join the movement to "FLIP THE CONGRESS"
they aren't all that selective in their hiring practices
Quote from: (unknown) on Nov 20, 2009, 04:52 PMBBernie
I read your posts and you ask some pretty good questions. Why don't you write your legislators and ask them about their federal polygraph policy? (IF) they answer and the answer is not to your liking, then why not campaign against them. They sure will not agree to be polygraphed to hold their jobs. While you're at it, ask them how they will/did vote on legislation that is taking this country down, i.e. Cap and Trade, socialized health care, NAFTA and the UN's:Law of the Sea Treaty.
Join the movement to "FLIP THE CONGRESS"
I have written a letter to Senator Feinstein. Unfortunately, I think not much will be accomplished because there is not enough political support to change things. Although I am sure many people have been victimized by the polygraph, not enough speak out about it. This website is a great venue and does a tremendous amount of good in providing accurate and timely information. The only way I can see that the polygraph will be eliminated in the hiring process is by having enough political capital....what I mean is that you have to be able to convince legislators that it would be worthwhile and in their best interests to do so...and others have written on here about that ...anything I do is going to have to keep this in mind, otherwise no progress can be made.
The link for Florida agency's requirements that I originally posted is no good. Here is the last CJAP.
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/CJST/Menu/Publications/test.aspx
To determine if an agency requires CVSA or polygraph, click on the type of agency (i.e., Police/Sheriff/School, etc.) and then click "Requirements and Pre-Requisites." A spreadsheet will open.
Quote from: (unknown) on Nov 20, 2009, 12:54 PMDepartments that don't polygraph:
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police (NOT to be confused with Washington Area Metro Transit Authority who use CVSA)
US Park Police
TSA Federal Air Marshal Service
Federal Air Marshals dont poly? I always assumed they did
There aren't any LE agencies in Michigan that uses polygraphing in the application process.
Some posts on the net and on this site list DC Metro Police as not having a poly. A recruiter informed a friend of mine today that they do poly to his surprise.
They are using polygraph at this time, not sure when they began.
I'm wanting to say you can add Cleveland Police Department to the list, it doesn't mention anything about it on their website anyway. Can anyone confirm this?
My husband was let go from a PD and although he has passed 3 polys in the past now that he is looking for a new opportunity he has failed 2 polys. He is being truthful so we assume it is just stress that is causing this. Does he have any hope at passing one after failing 2? ANy advice would be appreciated!
AZ4344,
Our book, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, includes information on how to reduce the risk of failing a polygraph "test":
https://antipolygraph.org/lie-behind-the-lie-detector.pdf
Chapters 3 and 4 will be of particular interest.
Memphis, TN doesn't. They do a psychological test
The new police chief in Memphis "failed" a CVSA that was checked by "lying Bill" of NITV when she was a police officer in Atlanta. Therefore, I doubt she would allow any type of so-called lie detection equipment.