Polygraph Operator Eric J. Holden Sanctioned for Sexual Harassment

[George W. Maschke]

In July 1999, polygraph examiner Eric J. Holden of Texas, a past president of the American Polygraph Association and prominent advocate for the post-conviction polygraph screening of sex offenders, was accused of sexually harassing a female student at the Texas Department of Public Safety Polygraph School. The complaint was sustained, and the Texas Department of Public Safety issued an interoffice memorandum announcing that Mr. Holden had been "permanently prohibited from instructing in any Department sponsored training or instructional program."

Holden owns and operates Behavioral Measures & Forensic Services Southwest, Inc., a Dallas firm that specializes in the post-conviction polygraph screening of registered sex offenders.

New Hampshire State Police Detective Kathleen M. Kimball's statement of complaint, then Texas Department of Public Safety Captain Michael C. Gougler's letter to Det. Kimball sustaining the complaint, and Criminal Law Enforcement chief Mike Scott's memorandum advising the assistant commander for training of the decision to permanently prohibit Holden from serving as an instructor at the polygraph school, are available here:

https://antipolygraph.org/documents/holden-sexual-harassment.shtml

[Twoblock]

Do SO polygraphers enjoy quilified immunity from SO registration or sanctions from the APA?

[TheNoLieGuy4U]

      Okay,

 So I read Ms. Kimball's statement.  All the actions she claimed were in a public classroom in the presence of other adults.  Mr. Holden was doing so in the context of what is legally / culturally an appropriate form of touching between an adult male and female vs. an adult and a child.  Could it be that she was just too dam sensitive, as there did not seem to be any substatiating statements from other females or other adults in that room, only that her feelings were hurt or that she was embarrassed.

 Are you really trying to take a cheap shot here at Mr. Holden given his great success and pioneering efforts in the containment model of sex offenders.  Certainly this minor civil effort by Ms. Kimball bears no comparison to the over all effort and accomplishments of Mr. Holden.

 I think that a stronger case on the face of it could be made regarding this site attempting to assist self admitted sex offenders ordered into a program, with the clear knowledge that if successful, such advice would only cause further child victims, juvenile males and females.  

 Dr. Eric Holden wears a figurative white hat overall, whereas YOU wear no less than a dark gray one if not a black hat.  There is no good result from you actually seeking out / soliciting sex offenders as you have in Dallas - Ft. Worth.  You have really overstepped your bounds and sense of self worth and purpose / importance.  

[the_wolf]

Okay,

 So I read Ms. Kimball's statement.  All the actions she claimed were in a public classroom in the presence of other adults.  Mr. Holden was doing so in the context of what is legally / culturally an appropriate form of touching between an adult male and female vs. an adult and a child.  Could it be that she was just too dam sensitive, as there did not seem to be any substatiating statements from other females or other adults in that room, only that her feelings were hurt or that she was embarrassed.

 Are you really trying to take a cheap shot here at Mr. Holden given his great success and pioneering efforts in the containment model of sex offenders.  Certainly this minor civil effort by Ms. Kimball bears no comparison to the over all effort and accomplishments of Mr. Holden.

 I think that a stronger case on the face of it could be made regarding this site attempting to assist self admitted sex offenders ordered into a program, with the clear knowledge that if successful, such advice would only cause further child victims, juvenile males and females.  

 Dr. Eric Holden wears a figurative white hat overall, whereas YOU wear no less than a dark gray one if not a black hat.  There is no good result from you actually seeking out / soliciting sex offenders as you have in Dallas - Ft. Worth.  You have really overstepped your bounds and sense of self worth and purpose / importance.  

I didn't know that he was a PHD. He dosen't list it on his web site.

[cat]

It seems to me, that maybe instructors should use manaquins, like they do in CPR classes.