I feel like a total idiot. This is the second polygraph I’ve taken, and both have come back inconclusive. I’m not lying about anything, but I just can’t help but overthink. I end up thinking, ‘Oh, what if I did do something illegal?’ even though I haven’t. When it comes to the questions, I have to fight so hard to stop myself from fidgeting. I had serious reactions to the question, ‘Have I ever committed an undetected crime?’ which I haven’t, and to the question about stealing. I’ve never stolen anything, but I couldn’t help but think of a time at an old job where there was an issue, and I was worried they might think that. However, it was resolved. I’ve never stolen anything, and I’m not omitting anything, but I just can’t seem to get this exam right.
Screwed up my polygraph
r/AskLE
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If you ever take one again what I did to get over my nervousness was before I answered the question I asked my self is the sky blue? I know it sounds weird but ask yourself an obvious yes or no in your head before you answer and it’ll calm you down.
You didn’t pass because you lied.
You haven’t committed an undetected crime? You didn’t speed to the polygraph? You haven’t accidentally taken a pen that wasn’t yours? You didn’t take one of your mothers pain pills because your back hurt? Come on… You have. Every one of us has.
You’re gonna keep failing if you keep saying you’re squeaky clean. None of us are. We have all done something. I shoplifted when I was in my teens and smoked Marijuana. Does that disqualify me? No. It makes me honest bringing it up. We are all human and make mistakes. You’re telling me you havent made one mistake? Not one?
Dude u gotta relax. If ur not a criminal and haven’t committed any crazy crimes there’s no reason to be this stressed about a poly man. Just answer truthful and try and relax let your body be natural. Getting worked up like this is probably why ur failing. Best of luck. Also why is this in quotes? 😂
Polys don’t detect lies! They detect the body response to certain question. Blood pressure, breathing and perspiration. Calm down and try and relax. Answer the question and don’t think about it. Controlled breathing you got the next one man
Polygraphs don’t work.
Polygraphs are the worst part of the hiring process. We let a pseudoscientific box determine if someone may become a cop. I’ve seen candidates with clean records be denied the job just for failing the poly.
The poly can easily be replaced with structured interviews and background investigations, and they have a significantly less chance of wrongfully disqualifying acceptable applicants.
Don’t let this get you down. Just apply to a few other departments and chances are you’ll pass at least one of their polys, or even land a department that doesn’t rely on pseudoscience for hiring.
I had my polygraph on Friday. I passed.
All I did was stare at a dot on the wall and answer when coming down from a breath and keep on breathing afterwards. I think remaining calm is the best thing you can do. You can’t think about it. That’s where they get you.
Chill TF out then 😂 All joking aside, while the poly is stupid for “lie detection,” as they don’t really work, I think they’re a good metric for personality. You have to be able to remain calm under pressure. If you can’t even relax when talking about your name and what you do, then how are you going to respond when something really serious is at stake? If you’re this stressed about answering a question about your past, how will you react to being questioned after taking someone’s life and your freedom is in the line? This type of self-sabotaging stress is why so many cops have heart attacks or eat their own gun mid-career. I mean this with sincerity and love, but if you can’t pass the poly then maybe it’s a sign that this career isn’t meant for you. It’ll eat you up. Give it some serious thought. Good luck, brother 🤙🏼 Stay strong.
If someone asked me to take a polygraph, I’d refuse, not because I did anything wrong, but because they are not accurate indicators of lying or deception. That’s why their results are inadmissible in court.
I know it’s not an option for a lot but I refuse to take them. When I’ve changed agencies anyone that does a polygraph or voice stress test is immediately off the list simply on principle.
They are almost always inconclusive.
I have failed, passed, and had inconclusive poly. You’d have to take me at my word but I never lied, I was a “square” as a kid, so I never did anything worth lying about….
Once I understood that the poly was a complete and utter lie in no way does it do what it claims to do at all, I no longer feared or failed them. Now I just go in, chill, answer, and leave. Never had any issues when my mindset was “this is all BS”
You’re failing because you’re trying to hide things, it’s natural, completely understandable, and completely acceptable. You’re not gonna write down every thing you’ve EVER done, It’s not realistic. You’re worried you forgot something, or they might see something in your response that makes them think you’re lying.
That’s exactly how the poly “works” it gets in your head and makes you freak out if you’re being untruthful or omitting anything at all. (Even if you didn’t lie)
Next time you go take one, on your way there listen to a podcast your YouTube video about the poly on your way there, just to reinstate in your mind that it’s ALL bull crud and you will be fine.
I’ve been searching for a new career path while planning out my college education and the polygraph is the main reason I’ve decided against law enforcement completely. It only detects nervousness and anyone with a brain could tell you that does not prove someone is lying in the slightest and it’s wild to me that they still use it. If you really want to work in law enforcement just keep applying and you’ll probably pass one as even people that lie their ass off have passed them before.