New police job.

[JuanCop]

I have been a police officer for a few years and recently decided to apply for a state position.  Out of a few hundered people who applied for this job I was one of two who were given conditional offers of employment.  I passed the background, urine screen, and psych test.  

I recently met with the polygraph examiner and was told that my stories were hard to believe because when I was a kid I was usually the "by-stander" when my friends were causing problems...  I was also told that because when I would answer my questions I would take a while to think about them that this made the examiner belive I was being deceptive.

I know to myself that I told this guy the complete and total truth.  I told him things that I have never told anyone else!  Yet........... He still believed that I was being deceptive and noted that on the question "Have you used false information in the application process?" (or something quite similar to that), he believed I was lieing when I said "no."  

I am very frusterated and upset at this.  I have been in law enforcement for over three years and this is my first taking of a polygraph.  I am a person who generally worries too much and I explained this to him...  (I also explained that I was coming off of a midnight shift and that I was slightly tired...)

Has anyone had anything similar happen to them?  

Thanks,

JuanCop

[George W. Maschke]

JuanCop,

Many people have had experiences similar to yours, as you'll see as you browse this message board. See also the AntiPolygraph.org Personal Statements page for some more formal and detailed public statements. This website is dedicated to exposing and ending the kind of abuse that you suffered, and I hope you'll join us in working toward this end.

At this time, it is important that you appeal the polygrapher's decision in writing. See Chapter 5 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for suggestions on how to go about this. It's important that you act promptly.

[Fred F.]

I am very frusterated and upset at this.  I have been in law enforcement for over three years and this is my first taking of a polygraph.  I am a person who generally worries too much and I explained this to him...  (I also explained that I was coming off of a midnight shift and that I was slightly tired...)

JuanCop

JuanCop,

As George has told you, you are not alone. There have been many police officers who have had their integrity and honor challenged by a polygraph. You need to prepare your appeal ASAP.

You also may want to approach your command staff to see if they can assist you in your process. If your command staff is supportive, it will be to your advantage. If your record with your current agency is good, you have that in your favor as well

You need to read The Lie Behind The Lie Detector and discover the what the polygraphers don't want you to know. Don't let the pseudo-science of polygraphy destroy what you have worked hard to achieve.


Good Luck

Fred F.