Failed Polygraph

[spicoli76]

I just recently took the polygraph for a police officer position in New York. I was nervous during the questioning but I felt as if I did fine  and I had told the truth on every question. Sure enough the examiner came back and said that they had a problem with two of the questions. I stuck to my guns and didn't roll over for him at all. My investigator called me a couple of days later and said I had failed but I could appeal. During the appeal process they send my results to an outside agency for review and they make a decision. My question is do these appeals work or is it just protocol? and also should I get an attorney involved? I feel as if this is total BS if this is how I get DQed.

[cesium_133]

You can try getting an attorney, I suppose, but I don't know how much it will help.  Yes, if you're finally denied, you can complain or seek a hearing, but the fact the PD will use is you don't have a constitutional right to a job as a cop.  You indeed should be free from the plague of pseudoscientific instruments and processes like the poly, but that's a slow process, and one that must be fought inch by inch.

That said, I am not discouraging you.  This site, this cause, needs people willing to stand up for their rights.  Again, you may not have a right to a job as a cop, but you do have a right to be considered fairly and objectively (the poly is subjective) for the position, without the employer resorting to witchcraft...

[spicoli76]

I'm going to let the appeal take it's course and see what happens. I tried to ask around and see if it's possible to win the appeal but noone really knows. If it doesn't work out oh well. Every thing happens for a reason right.

[spicoli76]

It's official I failed. My investigator didn't even have the decency to call me. In my opinion I feel that they didn't even send out my results to be looked over for the appeal. He notified me on wednesday that I had failed and said it would take a week and I received the letter saying I officially failed on Saturday. I'm not heartbroken over losing the job because I'm currently employed at a decent job and it's not like I wanted to be a cop my whole life. It's the fact that I know I told the truth and they're labeling me as a liar. The position was for the Suffolk County PD in New york which pays very well so it kind of sucks but I'll get over it. I'm still curious if I should contact an attorney just to see what they say.