Failed the polygraph twice, what should I do?

[Montbam]

I just took the polygraph test and it came back inconclusive for the second time, are my chances on being hired unlikely or should I continue to pursue this?

[George W. Maschke]

Your chances of being hired will depend on the policy of the agency with which you have applied. The FBI, for example, treats an inconclusive outcome the same as having failed: you get disqualified. A non-federal agency might be more accomodating.

In any event, I think it would be prudent to contest the polygraph results in writing. See Chapter 5 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for suggestions on how to proceed.

[montbam]

The agency is LAPD.  Are my chances of being hired unlikely due to this Voodoo Science?  If you have any solutions I'd love to hear them.
        Thanks

[Fred F.]

montbam,

In the case of LAPD, I would attempt to appeal with the LA City Personnel Division. George can provide you with the correct contact names and addresses.

Also you may want to test for LA City Special Officer, which covers the LAX Police and the Harbor Police. You may also want to consider the LAUSD School Police. These three agencies DO NOT Poly. You can also apply to CA Youth Authority, California Dept. of Corrections, and many other state agencies also do not poly.  You can check for state jobs at http://www.spb.ca.gov/.

Don't let the polygraph ruin your career, GET EDUCATED!!!!

Good Luck


Fred F.

[AMM]

Montbam,

I concur with Fred's advice.  If you haven't already done so, you need to contest the results in writing to Personnel (Margaret Whelan is the General Manager) and Public Safety Employment Division (Phyllis Lynes is the Chief).  I would also write everyone who sits on the City's Public Safety Committee and follow up with phone calls.

You are definitely facing an uphill battle, but the rewards are worth the effort.  I failed my first LAPD polygraph, contested the results, and passed the second by employing  countermeasures.  Since your results were "inconclusive" rather than an outright "failure" you may be in a better position than I was.  You can search my old posts for all the gory details.

I've been in the Academy for quite some time now and have heard (albeit, second hand) that several of my classmates were forced to endure a third polygraph after the first two were "inconclusive."  Good luck and fight hard.

I haven't proofread this, so accept my apologies for any errors, etc.

AMM

[l.a.dude]

AMM-

I have LAPD polygraph scheduled in about (3) weeks... Any info on what to expect?

What kind of test... How long... etc.

Thanks in advance!

[AMM]

LA Dude,

Good luck and remember to practice your countermeasures if you intend to employ them.  Unfortunately, I don't have the time to respond directly to your question but, if you search my previous posts, all the pertinent information concerning my experience/misfortune with the LAPD polygraph is on this board including the actual questions they asked.  Take this seriously, and make sure you read "The Lie Behind the Lie Detector."


AMM