Police Employment Polygraph

[Joshua]

I recently took a polygraph to get a police job, I did some research on it but not enough. It was going pretty good until the very end when the examiner accused me of hiding something and started interrogating me. I wasn't sure if he was for real or bluffing. Doing more research afterwards I realized he was bluffing and using a tactic to try and get me to admit to something. Well stupid me admitted to not listing every job I had since I was 18 on my application. I did the best I could on filling out the application because I had a lot of jobs that only lasted for a day so I listed them in a time frame for example, March 1995 - June 1995 worked several temporary jobs. They wanted 2 persons you worked with names and phone numbers. It was impossible for me to give that, I wasn't there long enough to know anyone's name let alone a phone number. I tried to explain that to him. So I ended up getting disqualified because of this and they listed it as falsification of polygraph screening booklet. I have another opportunity with another police dept. and will have to take a polygraph for them. Will this failure keep me from getting hired somewhere else? Also, do I have to tell them I failed a polygraph for another dept. or if I don't tell them will they find out anyway?

[Rome]

I will bet the house that the other department that you have a chance with will ask about other agencies you have applied with.  If you state that you've applied with the agency that you've failed, they will talk.  I can guarantee that.

Now just because you failed this poly doesn't mean the next agency will automatically fail/DQ you.  But they will ask why and you should have a good answer prepared.  In the future, on those small jobs, they'd want you to list them but even if you don't remember co-workers, that willl probably be ok.  I doubt they'd expect you to remember people from 20 yrs ago.

[Joshua]

Thanks for the info!

Do you think I should even list on my application the agency that failed me? It seems like it would be a lot less grief if I left it off. Lesson learned here on listing all my jobs over the years, but its ridiculous that something so minor can keep me from getting employed.

[Rome]

Thanks for the info!

Do you think I should even list on my application the agency that failed me? It seems like it would be a lot less grief if I left it off. Lesson learned here on listing all my jobs over the years, but its ridiculous that something so minor can keep me from getting employed.

It does seem ridiculous that something so minor could prevent you from getting employed, I completely agree.  But the fact is that it can in the LE world. 

Now, you've asked a tough question here.  To list it, or not to list it.  You can try to sneak it by and not list it. If you get away with it, you'll have no grief.  But, if the 2nd agency finds out that you were in the pipeline with the first at some point, and you didn't list it and failed the poly on top of that, you are absolutely cooked, because that is a lie that you won't be able to spin. You might even be blackballed from any future LE job in that case.

You're in a tough spot because no LE agency out there will give you a fair shake if they think you're being deceptive. Personally, I would probably list the old agency.  The new agency will ask the status, then you'd state that you failed the poly. Explain why you failed it. They may be understanding.

Just a heads up, you may read other posters on here say this... and I completely agree with this... a main function of the polygraph is to coax admissions out of people.  Once you are under the gun you have to stick to your story.  You'd have to come up with a new story if you don't disclose your failed poly & agency.

[Rome]

Another point: A failed poly with one agency isn't a death blow to every agency.  Especially if you had a good relationship with your background investigator.  Like I said before, the agencies will talk.  If you are open about why you failed (and it wasn't a big deal in my view; it can easily be rationalized) you will have another shot.  Just don't make the same mistakes twice.

[Joshua]

You made some good points here! I think I should def. list the old agency. Like you said if they would find out at some point it would all be over. Thanks for the help!

[Rome]

No problem,  good luck with the next test.  I'd be curious to hear how your failed poly factors in with the next testers. Post back here if you want.