American Polygraph Association Model Policy

[George Maschke]

In its new Model Policy for Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Screening Examinations, in defiance of law enforcement agencies across the country that disqualify applicants based on nothing more than failure to "pass" a pre-employment polygraph examination, the American Polygraph Association (APA) holds, at para. 3.12.1.3, "The decision to hire, or not to hire an applicant, should never be based solely on the results of the polygraph examination" (emphasis added).

The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, DEA, and countless other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that are currently in violation of this model policy should adopt it without delay.

Also significantly, the APA model policy advises at para. 3.12.5.1: "It is recommended that all pre-employment examinations be electronically recorded. Audio/video is preferred, but audio-only is acceptable" (emphasis added).

The FBI, most notoriously, has a deliberate policy of not recording polygraph examinations to avoid creating an objective record of what transpires. There is no good faith explanation for such a policy, and I congratulate the APA for its progressive position on this important policy question. For commentary on the importance of recording (not only in pre-employment screening but in all interrogations as well), see Audio/Video Taping of Polygraph Examinations.

There remain points within the APA's model policy with which I would take serious issue, but for now, I say congratulations and thank you to the APA!

[lulu]

I wonder what the real motivation is behind the use of the polygraph test?To get rid of blacks, gays women and people that the bigots that comprise most law enforcement agencies can't legally get rid of through other means and to compensate for their diversity fraud?

[slydog]

Truely..... The stupidest statement ever made! Really, come on man, get with it.

[Cpl Mike returns]

LuLu-or who ever you are- that is as sad and misguided as some of the "anit affirmative action" rants I've read.Geo Maschke just posted some "food for thought" on his research on the polygraph issue.FWIW,I'm African-american and I've passed the polygraph,so are many of my co-workers( what does race have to do with it???)And I've seen "honest and good" White,Blk,Asian" candidates being told they "lied" and were D.Q.'ed( alot of agencies will NOT allow you to challenge the polygraph, and I believe the reason is becuase as Geo Maschke has pointed out before ,the exam is "subjective".I've met people who were in volved in the examination process and some act like religius ZEALOTS- they "think" they are blessed with the right to say who goes and who stays.ONE even told me that its his JOB to "catch liars";thats akin to me saying its my JOB to shoot bad guys,when in reality its only my job to 'enforce the law"......Blk or Wht,straight or gay,male or female has nothing to do with what some see as a "flawed" way of testing ......

[Cpl Mike returns]

LuLu-or who ever you are- that is as sad and misguided as some of the "anti affirmative action" rants I've read.Geo Maschke just posted some "food for thought" on his research on the polygraph issue.FWIW,I'm African-American and I've passed the polygraph,so are many of my co-workers( what does race have to do with it???)And I've seen "honest and good" White,Blk,Asian" candidates being told they "lied" and were D.Q.'ed( alot of agencies will NOT allow you to challenge the polygraph, and I believe the reason is because as Geo Maschke has pointed out before ,the exam is "subjective".I've met people who were in involved in the examination process and some act like religious ZEALOTS- they "think" they are blessed with the right to say who goes and who stays.ONE even told me that its his JOB to "catch liars";thats akin to me saying its my JOB to shoot bad guys,when in reality its only my job to 'enforce the law"......Blk or Wht,straight or gay,male or female has nothing to do with what some see as a "flawed" way of testing ......