Appearance During Hiring Process and Polygraph

[Dr_Shakalu]

Hey everyone.  Well, I'm trying to join the San Francisco Police Dept.  I've gone thru all of the steps and have signed a tentative contract pending on the outcome of my medical and polygraph exam.  Up to this point, I have a moustache and goatee.  I haven't heard any opinions regarding facial hair and was wondering if I should shave them off for the polygraph to look more professional?  Would the polygraph examiner have any opinions whether I shave or not?  Thanks, The Doctor.

[sackett]

Doc,

dress professionally (unless they recommend otherwise) and be comfortable.  If you have a beard and goatee, keep it and trim it before the test.  You would always want to look hygienic.  Contrary to otherwise posted opinions, facial hair really has no impact on the outcome of your examination...  

Sackett

[Dr_Shakalu]

Thank you Mr. Sackett

[George W. Maschke]

I disagree with Jim Sackett. Although he might harbor no bias against persons with facial hair, your polygrapher might. And a polygrapher's biases can clearly influence outcomes. For proof, see the racial bias study that DoDPI/DACA suppressed:

https://antipolygraph.org/documents/dodpi-racial-bias-study.pdf

In American society today, there is bias against sporting a beard. This bias is especially strong in the military and law enforcement communities. You can't go wrong by going to your polygraph clean-shaven. You can always grow the whiskers back later.

PS: Don't be surprised if Jim Sackett or another polygrapher who reads this board has contacted the SFPD polygraph section with a heads-up to be on the lookout for an examinee with a goatee who will be using countermeasures.

[sackett]

Hellooooo George; San Fransisco......!?  

I serverly doubt facial hair is gunna be an issue at the polygraph.  I wouldn't show up looking desheveled and unkept, like say, Bin Laden... But I addressed the neewd to be professional looking.

Besides, if he simply indicates his willingness to shave, if required, most departments will have no problems.  Now, if he were applying with the FBI, I would have a different opinion.  They're a lot more "stuffy" about things like that...

Sackett

P.S.  How petty do you really think I am?  I suppose, that since we all see others through the glasses we possess, I can understand your presumption, but calling the SFPD because of this posting?  

Get a grip, George!!!  

BTW, is there a new chapter in the book on this issue...?  We'll call it:

"FACIAL HAIR!  THE UNRELIABLE VARIABLE THAT WILL SEE YOU DQ'D, THAT EXAMINER'S JUST WON'T TELL YOU ABOUT!"