Is the question have you ever used drugs or have you ever used drugs in the past 3 years?

[HopefullyPasses]

I've marijuna once at 16 and never continued it.

Also, about the have you ever stolen anything from your employer question.  What should i answer? I HAVE stolen a car air freshener and a can of coke.

For the rest of the questions i'll be fine.  I didn't commit any crimes and have a clean record.

I just need help on the drugs and employer question.

[George W. Maschke]

Not all agencies ask precisely the same questions regarding past drug use. But it is likely that during the pre-test phase, you'll be asked about the entire scope of your past illegal drug use, even if the agency's policy is that applicants must not have used an illegal drug in the past three years.

A question about ever having stolen anything from an employer is a probable-lie "control" question, examinees' answers to which are expected to be less than completely truthful. Whether to admit such petty theft as you mentioned is up to you. If you do make such minor admissions, the question will be re-phrased along the lines of, "Other than what you told me, did you ever steal anything from an employer?" and it will still be expected that your denial will be less than truthful.

See Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for further information on polygraph procedure.

[Donna.Taylor]

Not all agencies ask precisely the same questions regarding past drug use. But it is likely that during the pre-test phase, you'll be asked about the entire scope of your past illegal drug use, even if the agency's policy is that applicants must not have used an illegal drug in the past three years.

A question about ever having stolen anything from an employer is a probable-lie "control" question, examinees' answers to which are expected to be less than completely truthful. Whether to admit such petty theft as you mentioned is up to you. If you do make such minor admissions, the question will be re-phrased along the lines of, "Other than what you told me, did you ever steal anything from an employer?" and it will still be expected that your denial will be less than truthful.

See Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for further information on polygraph procedure.

George, bad info again - do not assume that a question about stealing from an employer is a CQ.  The client should mentions he/she took a car air freshener and a can of coke and list the possible value $1-$2-$5.  He/She will be asked if there is anything else.  Also admit the drug use. Depending on your age if it was one time and over two years ago you should be fine.  Call the recruiter or LE agency annonymously and ask if it would disqualify you.  I doubt it would.  Again, if there is time between these incidents with no other criminal activity you should be okay.

My next suggestion is for you to get away from this web site as it will psych you up and encourage you to manipulate your polygraph that will more than likely result in your disqualification and likelihood of never being hired at that agency.

[George W. Maschke]

Donna,

It's true, as noted in The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, that some agencies may use a question about theft from an employer as a relevant question (for example, "Did you ever steal money from an employer?") The LAPD uses as a relevant question "Have you stolen more than four hundred dollars in cash or property from an employer?"

But a general question about taking anything from an employer is almost certainly a probable-lie control question.

[Sergeant1107]

I've marijuna once at 16 and never continued it.

Also, about the have you ever stolen anything from your employer question.  What should i answer? I HAVE stolen a car air freshener and a can of coke.

For the rest of the questions i'll be fine.  I didn't commit any crimes and have a clean record.

I just need help on the drugs and employer question.

I don't think you need any help on the drugs and employer question.

Tell your background investigator or the examiner that you used marijuana once at age sixteen, and that you stole a can of soda and a car air freshener.  

If those are the only skeletons in your closet I wouldn't worry about it.  You should be aware, however, that passing a polygraph has little to do with whether you are telling the truth.  You should still answer the questions truthfully, but doing so is unfortunately not a guarantee that you will pass.

[candy]

I've marijuna once at 16 and never continued it. Also, about the have you ever stolen anything from your employer question.  What should i answer? I HAVE stolen a car air freshener and a can of coke. For the rest of the questions i'll be fine.  I didn't commit any crimes and have a clean record. I just need help on the drugs and employer question.

I think, be absolutely honest and truthful. Tell the examiner about your minor escapades. Then when you take the test you dont have to lie and you dont have to employ countermeasures. And if the examiner still tells you that "you're holding back" or "you havent told me the full truth", then you can look him straight in the eye and tell him that there def is a bulshitter in the room, but it isn't yourself.

[nopolycop]

I've marijuna once at 16 and never continued it.

Also, about the have you ever stolen anything from your employer question.  What should i answer? I HAVE stolen a car air freshener and a can of coke.

For the rest of the questions i'll be fine.  I didn't commit any crimes and have a clean record.

I just need help on the drugs and employer question.

From my experience, on the background investigatin package they will have you list your drug usage and your criminal history.  Then, if  you are questioned about it on the actual polygraph test, the questioning will go something like this:

"Other than what you have told us, have you ever used drugs?" (or stole from an employer) or whatever.

But, a more critical aspect of the situation will be your age.  You say you used marijuana at 16, an are worried about being asked about it three years later, correct? Age 19 is pretty young to be hired as a cop.  And, please don't get me wrong.  It's not about you personally, but when an administrator is choosing among several applicants, he/she will likely choose the older, presumably more mature applicant.  I started testing at age 19, and didn't have much luck until I was in my early 20'a.  In the meantime, go to school, get or keep your otherwise responsible job, and gain a good employment history.  Lastly, do not abuse  your credit.  Most employers run a credit check.

Good luck.

[nopolycop]

Then when you take the test you dont have to lie and you dont have to employ countermeasures. And if the examiner still tells you that "you're holding back" or "you havent told me the full truth", then you can look him straight in the eye and tell him that there def is a bulshitter in the room, but it isn't yourself.

Candy:

While the use of countermeasures may be effective in helping a dishonest individual pass the polygraph, the use of countermeasures isn't limited to trying to manipulate the accuracy of the test.  Many people employ counterrmeasures on the control questions to simply make sure the test reflects their honesty.  Of course, some here will say that using any countermeasure indicates deceptive behaviour, and if detected, the polygrapher will faill the testee, even though the polygraph exam did not detect deception.

But, you are correct in your advice for this young man, I would advise him to simply tell the truth and accept the arbitrary and capricious results for what they are, an opinion based on psuedoscience.