questions about polygraph

[motodude1985]

hey,

I am looking to become a police officer with Phoenix PD. I was just wondering, what kind of questions do they ask you on the poly and phsyc? I dont think i have anything to worry about because i have never used hard drugs or commited any felonies. Not even any tickets. Do you also need any experience in the armed forces? I am currently a student working on my bachelors in engineering, but that doesnt really interest me as much as being an officer.

[jetvette1]

Departments ask different questions. Most of them come from your character questions on your background paperwork (drugs, lifestyle, integrity, employer theft, etc. Most important; tell the truth, Most departments realize that we are human and have made mistakes. What they are looking for, is if your honest. As a Officer your integrity is of utmost importance. Once you loose it, it is VERY hard to get back. I have passed poly's for 3 different states. And yes it sucks. If you think confession time at church is tuff, a poly will really cleanse your soul...They will overlook many things if you have not done them recently and are honest.
As for military time; it is certainly a plus, but not required. Many Officers I work with are not prior military.

[Ritchie]

I just read that lie behind the lie detector link

My interpretation. If I tell the truth about everything.... it can still be intepreted as a lie. (specially if it is something I feel strongly about)

If I do not care about anything and lie..... it can be interpreted as the truth.

meanwhile, the fact that I am probably going to be very very nervous, tells me that my body will be reacting to everything. Therefore it will look like I am lying about the smallest things.

I wish they had a mind reader thing that would show what I did and when and get it over with.

[ciaran08]

You are expected to be nervous. That is normal. It is part of the job interview and who isn't anxious when it comes to interviews. Being nervous won't give false positives. I went in nervous and once the polygrapher explained to me how it worked I was at ease. It definately is a cleansing experience, and the technology does work. One question that they ask you is... "have you done any research on the subject?" So be carefull with what you look at.

[mobrien316]

One question that they ask you is... "have you done any research on the subject?" So be carefull with what you look at.

That ought to sound a few warning bells for any reasonable person.

If you go to the physical agility test and tell the tester that you looked up the standards on the Internet so you could be familiar with the test, he won't give a damn.

If you go the psychological test and tell the tester that you researched the MMPI to see what to expect, he won't give a damn.

If you go the polygraph and tell the examiner you have researched polygraphy on the Internet he will automatically assume you are intending to lie and try to beat the test. Good luck passing at that point, even if you tell the truth.

If the polygraph was a scientifically valid test it wouldn't matter one bit if the examinee was familiar with the testing procedure.

[ciaran08]

That was just my experience. People can and will argue if it's valid or fair. They don't want you to research it. That's just the way it is at this moment in time. I was just trying to give some insight, not come off unreasonable.

[AzDogs]

The machine is only as good as the guy operating it and in conjuction with that, how comfortable he makes you feel while taking the test. The only time I had an issue with one was the operator working me up. The others I have taken I passed just fine both before and after the 'failed' poly.

[geek4life]

hey,

I am looking to become a police officer with Phoenix PD. I was just wondering, what kind of questions do they ask you on the poly and phsyc? I dont think i have anything to worry about because i have never used hard drugs or commited any felonies. Not even any tickets.

Don't think too much into the questions. Just be honest and you will be fine.

Do you also need any experience in the armed forces? I am currently a student working on my bachelors in engineering, but that doesnt really interest me as much as being an officer.

No. We have several 21 year-old recruits without college degree or military experience. If you pass all the tests and you are qualified, you are hire!

[TaylorH]

Don't think too much into the questions. Just be honest and you will be fine.


No. We have several 21 year-old recruits without college degree or military experience. If you pass all the tests and you are qualified, you are hire!

I take it that means Phoenix is hiring pretty heavily? Thanks

[motodude1985]

Thanks for all the info. I dont have anything to worry about i was just curious about the polygraph because i never took one and would be nervous. I know that is normal for all first timers. As far as i read online, Phoenix is doing a lot of hiring. Also i was worried about being 21. I guess that isnt too young. I know the requirements are age 21, but i wasnt sure how many 21 year olds were getting accepted.

[dkeis]

Phx.

I took the written test last week, and passed. When we were in the testing room they stressed how many people they need to get, and don't qoute me but it was around 300-350 in the next year to year 1/2..

[motodude1985]

awsome...thanks for the info. what kind of stuff do they ask you on the test. Is it just a basic comprehensive?

[Ritchie]

When we were in the testing room they stressed how many people they need to get, and don't qoute me but it was around 300-350 in the next year to year 1/2..

That is about right.
Actually they need about 1000 in the next three years.

here is a snipet of e-mail going around City of Phoenix

Spread the word about Michigan recruitment
Imagine if your department had to hire hundreds of new employees over the next few years. Sounds daunting, doesn’t it?
That’s the challenge facing the Police Department, whose recruiters are always looking for innovative ways to attract qualified individuals “to protect and serve.”

Because of government grants, rapid growth and retirements, the department will hire more than 1,000 new officers in the next three years. Department recruiters know word-of-mouth is often the best way to advertise positions. That’s why they’re asking city employees with Midwest connections to spread the word about an upcoming recruitment in Dearborn, Mich.

“We know many city employees are from that region and may have relatives or friends who would be interested in working for the Phoenix Police Department,” said Officer Armando Carbajal of the Police Employment Services Bureau. “This opportunity will save interested applicants the expense of traveling to Phoenix to pursue a position with the department.”

The recruit/officer written and physical agility examinations will be given April 26 - 28 at Henry Ford Community College/M-TEC, 3601 Schaefer, in Dearborn.

The department offers 80 specialty assignments and promotional opportunities after a few years. The Phoenix Police Department is also known as one of the best law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

Prospective applicants can find more information at phoenix.gov/police or call 602-262-6925 to speak to a recruiter

[Traffic_82]

No. We have several 21 year-old recruits without college degree or military experience. If you pass all the tests and you are qualified, you are hire!

Is this Phoenix PD? Sounds ripe for the pickings (21 year olds don't get hired out here very often).

[dkeis]

Phx. P.D.

Phx. P.D. is always going to hire, but more right now that ever. With their drop program they lost a lot of officer, and they need a lot back "Right now".. As for young recruits there was about (3-5) under the age of 20 who were trying to get on as a cadet. With the written they just ask you questions like any other written test. I also talked with a Tempe officer who was on the hiring unit, who stated that they need 38-50 officers this year... So anyone who can look past the micomanagement, and smaller department BS then go for it..