I have a friend who's looking to get in to law inforcement. They've got the polygraph coming up and are being told they should lie about doing drugs 13 years ago. They haven't touched a drink or drugs for 13 years and don't know what to do. I suggested that they tell the truth and that they won't be judged for mistakes they made that long ago but is this opinion correct or should my friend lie?
2007-06-11 09:55:24 · 10 answers · asked by VanityFair 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Tell your friend not to lie. If he lies, it will be found later, and it will be too late because there is a zero tolerance for lying. Your friend can still be employed even if he did to drugs thirteen years ago. Just tell him to be honest and he will not have a problem. Most departments will just look over the fact your friend used drugs; that is, if he did not use them heavily. Now, if he has convictions from usage, then he will have a problem.
Honesty always wins.
2007-06-11 10:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lying would be a huge mistake. First, if it has been thirteen years since they've drank or did drugs then its not even an issue. Secondly, by the time the polygraph comes up, thier background investigation is complete and the already know what he' done and how long its been.
Third, the questions asked in the polygraph are based on information provided in the initial application and what's discovered during the background investigation.
Lastly, lying would be a mistake, because one the machine will be able to detect a lie, based on physiological responses to given questions. And lying would show a lack of integrity on his part and could potentially eliminate him from the process. Police officers don't expect thier candidates to be perfect. Whoever told your friend to lie is giving seriously bad advice.
2007-06-11 18:39:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are only a few people in the world that know how to lie on a polygraph and get away with it. There are special schools in Virginia and elsewhere that teach people how to adminster and cheat a polygraph. Do not lie, you will be caught. They are better of telling the truth and explaining later.
If you must lie, put tacks in your shoes to make your heart rate go up. When they ask you a question that you have to lie on, the put pressure on your feet to make it hurt and make your heart rate go up, this will throw off the polygraph.
The other trick is to mess up the base line questioning.
In a polygraph, they will ask you base line questions (is your name jack, are you a male, are you 24 years old, etc) dont lie at these questions but use the tack technique to mess up the baseline again and your other false answers will not deviate from your baseline marks.
The bottom line is that while it is possible to cheat a polygraph, it is not recommended and will only hurt your chances at a job in law enforcement.
2007-06-11 17:03:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The problem you can see on many of the questions in Yahoo is how "cops are evil" because they break the law!
The most important part about being a good officer is having the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and credibility. Without such makes for a potentially corrupt officer!
The polygraph examination is to determine the honesty of the applicants life prior to applying for the position. Lying about experimentation so many years earlier could hurt your friend IF one of the applicants character references should comment about all the fun they had smoking dope in high school!
My strongest suggestion is don't lie during the polygraph!
2007-06-11 17:07:18 · answer #4 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, tell the truth. I entered law enforcement at age 27. I honestly told them that I tried pot in high school a few times. I passed with flying colors. They don't care about minor drug usage if it was 13 years ago and wasn't hard drugs like meth or heroin. The lie will get you fired, or not hired.
I did take many lie detector tests when first applying to several departments and passed each one by being honest.
Good luck
2007-06-11 17:48:43 · answer #5 · answered by randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most departments would overlook experimenting with drugs at early age.......I can gaurantee no department will overlook getting caught in a lie....his best bet is to tell the truth...if hes been clean for 13 yrs
2007-06-11 17:01:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell the truth no matter what. If they catch you in a lie you will never get the job. Most police departments understand experimental drug use as long as it is not PCP/LSD/Angel dust.
2007-06-11 17:13:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. I doubt it would be an issue that long ago. They are looking for honesty. I'm sure entire police force is NOT made up of people that have never done drugs (or who lied about it). If he/she lies they will probably know, and it will look worse trying to hide it.
2007-06-11 17:05:10 · answer #8 · answered by Simba 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
be honest, always. it hurts you to lie on the polygraph. when you do lie it makes you look worse. they won't care about your friend's past as long as there was no court action taken.
2007-06-11 17:02:59 · answer #9 · answered by richie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not lie. They are testing you on integrity, so show some. It is way more valuable for them to have officers who have experimented but tell the truth, than to have ones that lie to their superior.
2007-06-11 17:00:55 · answer #10 · answered by smellyfoot ™ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋