Do all police departments hire using the lie detector test?

Question

If you fail the test can they judge you off that? Aren't the tests dissmissible in courts? Clarification please. Thanks. ( by the way, i have nothing to hide, just curious about the process)

Answer 1

Many use the Poly, my agency uses Voice Stress Analysis.

Yes, the agency may decide not to hire based on that test. And it is a urban legend that the Poly isnt admissible in court. It can be under certain circumstances, that list is rather too long to list here.

Answer 2

No, not all departments require polygraph examinations.  Yes, some departments do.  Yes, if you fail you can be removed from the hiring process.  It all depends on the department for how much weight they give the polygraph examination.  The departments that we work with generally take the polygraph examination very seriously and will dismiss an applicant upon failure of the polygraph examination.

Most people don't understand the purpose of the polygraph.  It is not to find some deep hidden secret or determine if you've done drugs 5 times or 20 times in your life.  It is only to test your honesty and accuracy regarding the information YOU provided on YOUR personal history statement.  Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that you are are honest about your background.  The information you provide will not necessarily disqualify you, but lying about it will disqualify.

Answer 3

Most will, they will also give you a test and require you to take a test as a condition of employment if you are suspected of something while serving as a police officer.

Answer 4

There is no lie detector test in becoming a cop.

Answer 5

If they did, would that be a problem?

Answer 6

I never applied to a police department but once to a sanitary district which I believe was of equal rank in local government agencies where they said I was subject to a lie detector test---the test was not mandatory but the reply to the question was.

I believe that if you squirmed at the question it suggests a suspicious background of some sort that might then result in a test and/or more questions.