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Hello Everyone
I've been reading posts here on Officer.com for over a year now as I've been trying to find employment in the LE field.
Today I went in for my first ever polygraph. This is the first time that I've moved beyond the BI without getting a "there were more qualified candidates" letter.
I went in, filled out the pre-test questionnaire with the polygrapher, answered everything truthfully etc. We finished, he had me sign the sheets the polygraph printed on, packed up and then sat down to talk to me. He stated that there were no problems with the polygraph and it was very clean except for one question. He asked me first if there was anything I wanted to tell him, and then asked me which question I though it might be. After thinking it over (and assuring him I had been completely honest) I told him the two questions I felt most nervous when answering were the "Have you misrepresented, omitted or been misleading in any of the questions today?" Because that is such a broad question, I think I kind of hesitated. The other question was "Other than what we have discussed, have you every stolen anything from an employer?" I have stolen small stuff like office supplies and food, also whenever we have extra money in our safe, we will use it for gas money if we have to go somewhere for work, both of which I disclosed on my BI and pre-poly questionnaire. The issue of taking the money for gas is one I was concerned about as my Background Investigator said that is why one of the other departments I applied at did not continue the process with me.
Anyway, after telling the polygrapher about those 2 questions, he said that it was the stealing from work question. He stated he was certain it was something I was intentionally hiding from him. He stated that he has seen all kinds of things and whatever I was hiding was probably insignificant. He said because he liked me as a candidate and because I had done so well on the rest of the test, if I would just tell him what I was hiding he would talk to the Sheriff about scheduling a follow up test to clear up the issue. I asked if we could do a follow up test more in depth on that particular question, but he said only if I admitted what I was hiding. I was seriously considering just making something up so he would give me a second test.
So I've read many of the posts on this topic on this site and realize that there are many very strong opinions about the polygraph and it's use for employment purposes. My question is this; Does it sound like I really did have a reaction to that question and I'm one of the unlucky ones who will miss out on a job because I failed a polygraph I was honest on? Or do you think there was no reaction or one he wasn't sure of and was trying to see if I would change my answers when confronted?
I talked to my Background Investigator before I left and he said they would just wait and see what the polygraph report says when they got it next week. So I guess I have really long week ahead of me.
I've been reading posts here on Officer.com for over a year now as I've been trying to find employment in the LE field.
Today I went in for my first ever polygraph. This is the first time that I've moved beyond the BI without getting a "there were more qualified candidates" letter.
I went in, filled out the pre-test questionnaire with the polygrapher, answered everything truthfully etc. We finished, he had me sign the sheets the polygraph printed on, packed up and then sat down to talk to me. He stated that there were no problems with the polygraph and it was very clean except for one question. He asked me first if there was anything I wanted to tell him, and then asked me which question I though it might be. After thinking it over (and assuring him I had been completely honest) I told him the two questions I felt most nervous when answering were the "Have you misrepresented, omitted or been misleading in any of the questions today?" Because that is such a broad question, I think I kind of hesitated. The other question was "Other than what we have discussed, have you every stolen anything from an employer?" I have stolen small stuff like office supplies and food, also whenever we have extra money in our safe, we will use it for gas money if we have to go somewhere for work, both of which I disclosed on my BI and pre-poly questionnaire. The issue of taking the money for gas is one I was concerned about as my Background Investigator said that is why one of the other departments I applied at did not continue the process with me.
Anyway, after telling the polygrapher about those 2 questions, he said that it was the stealing from work question. He stated he was certain it was something I was intentionally hiding from him. He stated that he has seen all kinds of things and whatever I was hiding was probably insignificant. He said because he liked me as a candidate and because I had done so well on the rest of the test, if I would just tell him what I was hiding he would talk to the Sheriff about scheduling a follow up test to clear up the issue. I asked if we could do a follow up test more in depth on that particular question, but he said only if I admitted what I was hiding. I was seriously considering just making something up so he would give me a second test.
So I've read many of the posts on this topic on this site and realize that there are many very strong opinions about the polygraph and it's use for employment purposes. My question is this; Does it sound like I really did have a reaction to that question and I'm one of the unlucky ones who will miss out on a job because I failed a polygraph I was honest on? Or do you think there was no reaction or one he wasn't sure of and was trying to see if I would change my answers when confronted?
I talked to my Background Investigator before I left and he said they would just wait and see what the polygraph report says when they got it next week. So I guess I have really long week ahead of me.
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