FBI Director Seeks $6.8 Mil for More Polygraphs

[George W. Maschke]

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, in a Statement for the Record submitted on 6 March 2002 to the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies, sought some $6.8 million to expand the FBI's polygraph program.

Polygraph. The FBI is requiring polygraph examinations of all persons who are being granted a security clearance, including those who require access to unclassified and classified information, personnel, and facilities. To support this element of the FBI's security program, an additional 17 positions (15 agents) and $6,804,000 is needed to augment the current complement of polygraphers. The request includes funding for necessary equipment, training, travel, and space.

The requirement that all persons granted a security clearance be polygraphed suggests a large increase in the number of FBI employees who will be subjected to polygraph screening.