Failed Poly

[noob_tube]

I failed my first one because I had issues "breathing normally", whatever that is. They told me to return in two weeks. I passed the second one, but not without having to explain some "inconsistencies". Damn thing flagged a lot of answers as being deceptive. Things that both myself and the examiner knew for a fact I was being honest on. In addition to that, some of the control questions in which I was supposed to lie came back as me being honest.

I did pass a voice-stress analysis with another agency. I found it to be more accurate and less intimidating.

After this, my opinion on polygraphs is that they are nothing but high-tech witch hunts.

[CalCop]

It's their job to say you failed. It's all a game. The poly is used to get investigative leads. I "failed" my first one, too, because I was nervous. I've been a cop for a very long time now.....don't let one poly get you down.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Q: "Have you ever paid for sex?"

A: "Of course... I'm married."

[cacop]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just about every person I have spoken to about the poly over the years has had the examiner pull something to try to get you to confess to more than what you said in the BI and their initial interview with them.

There are some departments that put way too much faith in them. They need to remember Aldrich Ames aced his while he was spying for the Soviets.

[NorCalPatriot]

any more to this story? I've taken plenty of poly's, (passed since Im hired lol) and before the test is actually given, you spend at least an hour going over the pre-poly questionaire so the person administering the test can compare the answers you provided to your backgrounder to the answers your giving to him in person.

They most always have copies of what you have turned in to the PD when you show up to take the test. If you are fudging, they will know and immediately make note of it to report back. This interview also clears the air so to speak on any suspect adverse reactions you could have during the test by "getting it all out on the table." It's the interviewers job to try and get you admit things you haven't said before.

The test is normally based on a pre-determined set of questions provided by the department, and questions pulled from your interview with the poly person. The interviewer should run through the test twice, the first to set a baseline reading for heart rate, breathing, etc, and the second to substantiate the first results. The newer tests go as far to have you sit on a sensor pad so the interviewer will know if you are purposefully trying to subvert the test by flinching, squeezing your toes, buttcheeks, etc. If these reactions stop the test twice, you're done.

Now with all that said, I honestly believe that the machine can't tell if you are lying. It senses physiological responses to the questions you are asked. If you have stayed consistant with the answers you provided the PD and the answers you provided the interviewer, theoretically you should be able to pass, even with an elevated heart rate, higher than average breathing, or sweaty hands.

The thing that sucks is that it's completely subjective on the opinion of the person who's administered the test. The bottom line is to stick with whatever you've written down and be completely honest with yourself throughout the hiring process. Your integrity and honesty are primary traits your prosepctive agency is looking for. Remember too that any future agency you apply to will have access to any materials you turned in during the hiring process so once again, consistancy is crucial.

Good luck to you.

[HokeySon]

I wasn't told but according to my examiner, I reacted to every question thus failing everything. I was nervous about failing even though I was telling the truth, so I ended up failing. I felt relaxed with the normal questions like "are you sitting down" but when asked about what affected me I could feel my heart beating faster

Thank you, I will keep applying to other agencies and taking polys.

That's an inconclusive test, not a failure, and a bad examiner.

I do not know why they still use these things -- there is a reason why poly tests results are not admissible in court.

[Baconator]

A good background investigation should be all that's necessary unless there is a reason to believe the applicant is hiding or lying about something.

I think there is a shortage of time for background investigators and an over abunance of applicants.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Hot Holster]

Some people just react to those kinds of questions with nerviousness and anxiety. It does not mean they are lying. It means they get nervious easily and prodding questions about uncomfortable subject matter makes them uncomfortable.

They really need to stop using these things. They do not tell you anything useful.

A good background investigation should be all that's necessary unless there is a reason to believe the applicant is hiding or lying about something.

[tacticalcity]

A friend was hired by the sheriff but they do pick on you for everything. They asked is she ever stole anything to which she said no, then they said what about a pen from work, etc, before you know if she could have been confessing to the Lindbergh kidnaping.

Some people just react to those kinds of questions with nerviousness and anxiety. It does not mean they are lying. It means they get nervious easily and prodding questions about uncomfortable subject matter makes them uncomfortable.

They really need to stop using these things. They do not tell you anything useful.

[winnre]

A friend was hired by the sheriff but they do pick on you for everything. They asked is she ever stole anything to which she said no, then they said what about a pen from work, etc, before you know if she could have been confessing to the Lindbergh kidnaping.

[Sam1]

I wasn't told but according to my examiner, I reacted to every question thus failing everything. I was nervous about failing even though I was telling the truth, so I ended up failing. I felt relaxed with the normal questions like "are you sitting down" but when asked about what affected me I could feel my heart beating faster

Thank you, I will keep applying to other agencies and taking polys.

[barca101]

Don't let 1 poly discourage you from continuing.

[gatesbox]

So what question do you think tripped you up?

[Sam1]

So I failed my poly(or so I was told) now I know it's just voodoo science for sure. Good luck to any future LEO's taking theirs. My advice, Don't be nervous.