LAPD Polygraph

[gorgikla22]

I recently took a polygraph with LAPD in order to become a police officer but I failed.....according to the polygrapher...

During the test the polygrapher was very proffesional, and he also didnt show any reactions while I was taking the polygraph until it was over.... after he finished he left the room for about 45 minutes and then came back and accused me of not telling him of my prior drug use (which there isnt any), theft from an empolyer (never did that either), and a serious crime that i supposably commited and im not telling him. After he told me this and tried to get an admission i was completley stunned to hear that he was accusing me of these things when I had never done anything in my life that was remotley close to what he was accusing me of doing....

After I called personel to appeal the polygraphers decesion... this lady from backgrounds said the polygraph is a "preliminary tool" and that a polygrapher cant disqualify you, only personel can.

I was just wondering if the polygrapher could have been bluffing the enitre time trying to get me to admit to something when I actually did pass? Can someone please give me there advice?

[George W. Maschke]

Yes, your polygrapher could have been bluffing you for an admission even if the charts were scored as passing or inconclusive, and not failing. However, to the best of my knowledge, it is not standard operating procedure for LAPD polygraphers to do so.

[gorgikla22]

i dont understand whats not part of there policy.... do you think i still have a chance to be hired?

[George W. Maschke]

I'm saying that to the best of my knowledge, it is not standard practice for LAPD polygraphers to conduct post-test interrogations of those who haven't failed the polygraph in a bluff for admissions. Yes, I think you still have a chance to be hired, but I don't know how large that chance might be. If, in the end, you are officially notified that you failed the polygraph, you should contest the results and request a re-test.