CVSA

[Marshall Dillon]

A couple months ago, I took a CVSA for a California agency. The CVSA appeared to be used as an interview tool. An initial interview was conducted, and only some of the same material was included on the CVSA questions. Known "lies" were used mixed in with regular questions.

 My opinion ?! Don't worry. Tell the truth or, at least, answer all questrions forcefully and loudly. Most importantly, if you are a scum bag criminal, don't apply with law enforcement.  

[job applicant]

I tried that, didn't work.  I was totally honest, told them things that
I'd never told a soul in my life, and flunked the test.  They said that I
lied about being in revolutionary/terrorist groups, writing computer
viruses, things like that -- when I barely get motivated enough to vote,
and don't even know any of the languages viruses are written in.

In retrospect, I'd recommend something along the lines of the "thumbtack
in the shoe" technique, it couldn't hurt.  Being brutally honest obviously
isn't enough.

[Skeptic]

My opinion ?! Don't worry. Tell the truth or, at least, answer all questrions forcefully and loudly. Most importantly, if you are a scum bag criminal, don't apply with law enforcement.

I tried that, didn't work.  I was totally honest, told them things that
I'd never told a soul in my life, and flunked the test.  They said that I
lied about being in revolutionary/terrorist groups, writing computer
viruses, things like that -- when I barely get motivated enough to vote,
and don't even know any of the languages viruses are written in.

In retrospect, I'd recommend something along the lines of the "thumbtack
in the shoe" technique, it couldn't hurt.  Being brutally honest obviously
isn't enough.

Hmm... so even if you're not a "scum-bag criminal", you might want to think twice about law enforcement -- at least, with agencies that use these devices to disqualify honest people.

Skeptic