State Police officials confirmed this week that applicants vying to become state troopers will no longer undergo polygraph testing as part of an extensive background check that helps determine their acceptance into the State Police Academy. A spokesman for the State Police would not say why Blocker ordered the change.
Who will conduct the polygraph examination?
A Certified Polygraph Examiner from our Department will conduct the Polygraph Examination. Background Investigation : Applicants who have successfully passed the Polygraph will be subject to a thorough, comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Why is PA State Police no longer doing lie detector tests?
The Pennsylvania State Police is no longer subjecting recruits to lie-detector tests, saying the agency has lost good job applicants because the tests added time to the hiring process. Last edited by GangGreen712; 01-16-2017, 10:13 PM .
What happens after I pass the polygraph test?
Background Investigation : Applicants who have successfully passed the Polygraph will be subject to a thorough, comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police.
How many times do polygraph tests ask the same question?
Polygraph exam : then, candidates are hooked up to the polygraph equipment and subject to the same questions. Often, the same question is asked more than one time, often up to 3-5 times, to ensure that the examiner has fully gauged the physiological response.
What tests do police officers use?
Why is the troopers union criticizing the decision?
Is the Pennsylvania State Police still testing lie detectors?
Does Duncannon have a police force?
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About this website
Are polygraphs still used by police?
And yet polygraphs are still routinely used by government agencies and law enforcement.
What disqualifies you from a polygraph?
Illegal drug trafficking or dealing. Illegal drug or medication use, including steroids. Use of alcohol. Falsification or minimization in your requested information.
What are the requirements for Pennsylvania State Police?
Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application. Educational Requirement: Applicants must possess a high school diploma or a G.E.D. Certificate plus an Associate's Degree or 60 semester credit hours in an accredited institution of higher education prior to appointment.
Does NYPD administer polygraph?
Polygraph tests are not admissible in court, and employers are prohibited by Federal law from using them to screen civilian job applicants. The U.S. military, the NYPD, the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement do not use them, according to the Associated Press.
Can anxiety cause you to fail a polygraph?
According to a report from the National Academy of Sciences, “[a] variety of mental and physical factors, such as anxiety about being tested, can affect polygraph results – making the technique susceptible to error.” Unfortunately, once you have failed a government polygraph test, there may be little you can do to ...
Can Xanax help you pass a polygraph?
Can drugs or medications affect the result of a polygraph examination? Antidepressants, such as Lithium, Prozac, Valium, Xanax, and Betablockers, can affect the result of a polygraph examination in that they can bring about an inconclusive result. For some people, however, these drugs will have no effect on the result.
How much do PA state cops make?
Pennsylvania State Police SalariesJob TitleSalaryState Trooper salaries - 11 salaries reported$69,383/yrPolice Communications Operator salaries - 4 salaries reported$50,031/yrPCO salaries - 3 salaries reported$106,670/yrPolice Officer salaries - 3 salaries reported$69,397/yr16 more rows
How much do PA State Troopers make?
Effective Tax Rates for State Troopers in Pennsylvania The average salary for a state trooper in Pennsylvania is $89,000 per year. State trooper salaries in Pennsylvania can vary between $56,000 to $121,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.
How long is Pennsylvania State Police Academy?
Once accepted into the Pennsylvania State Police Academy cadets endure a rigorous 28-week training period. Cadets live at the academy in barracks style quarters and are only permitted to go home on designated weekends.
Was told I failed polygraph but passed?
To answer your question, no, it is not normal to be told you passed the polygraph immediately afterwards. The norm is for the polygraph operator to leave the examinee who has passed uncertain about the outcome. Congratulations on passing!
Will a polygraph examiner tell you if you failed?
Generally, you will not receive word that you passed. You will only receive word if you failed the polygraph and IIRC the notification will come in the mail. Results can take a while or take no time at all so no one can really give you a good answer to that question.
What happens if you fail polygraph test?
So, by “failing” a polygraph or producing “inconclusive results” you might not get the job or the clearance you're applying for – but you also won't lose any clearance you already have or jeopardize your future prospects of obtaining clearances that don't require a polygraph.
Why did I fail the polygraph when I tell the truth?
According to Goodson, some people who are telling the truth can fail polygraph tests by trying too hard to control their body's responses.
Was told I failed polygraph but passed?
To answer your question, no, it is not normal to be told you passed the polygraph immediately afterwards. The norm is for the polygraph operator to leave the examinee who has passed uncertain about the outcome. Congratulations on passing!
What are the factors affecting polygraph examination validity?
In addition to subjects' psychopathy, other diagnostic categories and subject variables such as gender, intelligence, motivation, and responsivity to arousal may also affect validity. Subject factors are often described in the literature as personality or individual difference factors (136,194).
What kind of questions do they ask on a polygraph?
Common Polygraph QuestionsPersonal history.Negative information from other agencies (such as previously failing a polygraph)Employment background.Criminal behavior.Financial information.Illegal drug use.Alcohol use.Illegal or deviant sexual behavior.
Pa state police - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums @ Officer.com
Hey everyone I'm going through the pa state police test and just got done with my written part. I applied before and got dqed because I smoked weed before I was 18, so I didn't make it to the polygraph. This year I was wondering if I should tell them I tried it this time or not. I dont know if they keep
Pennsylvania State Police Applicant Polygraph Screening Booklet
1 XXXX 2019 Pennsylvania State Police Applicant Polygraph Screening Booklet [PRINT LEGIBLY] Full Name (Last Name) (Suffix) (First Name) (Middle Name)
PSP Cadet Testing Announcements - Pennsylvania State Police
PSP Cadet Testing Announcements. Thank you for your interest in becoming a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Cadet. Information regarding a specific selection cycle can be found below.
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) :: Pearson VUE
Pennsylvania State Police Mission. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is dedicated to keeping our communities safe, inspiring public trust and confidence through effective 21st century policing strategies, which include recruiting, developing, training, and retaining a skilled workforce, relative to the Commonwealth’s rich diversity, that leverages technological innovation and effective ...
Pennsylvania State Troopers Test-2022 Online Test Prep Guide
Pennsylvania State Troopers. Pennsylvania State Trooper is a wing of Pennsylvania department of public safety. The department of public safety was established in 1905 and the State Trooper was established in 1906 with the purpose to maintain law and order in the region.
What tests do police officers use?
The Inquirer says most law enforcement agencies use lie detector tests, although exceptions include the New York City Police and New Jersey State Police.
Why is the troopers union criticizing the decision?
The union argues that the tests help ensure hires have the highest personal integrity.
Is the Pennsylvania State Police still testing lie detectors?
HARRISBURG (AP) -- The Pennsylvania State Police is no longer subjecting recruits to lie-detector tests, saying the agency has lost good job applicants because the tests added time to the hiring process.
Does Duncannon have a police force?
Though municipalities like Duncannon have shed their police forces in light of budget crunches, the state police have actually seen a slight decrease in the number of municipalities they cover over the last five years.
What is a polygraph exam?
Polygraph: Applicants participate in a pre-employment polygraph examination to determine an applicant's truthfulness or deception in all aspects of an applicant's life. A Certified Polygraph Examiner from our Department will conduct the Polygraph Examination.
Can you get a background investigation report if you live out of state?
Applicants who live or lived out of state for any period of time may experience a delay in the completion of the background investigative report as the Pennsylvania State Police must rely on the assistance of other law enforcement agencies.
Is Pennsylvania State Police misrepresentation?
Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Pennsylvania State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of official documentation (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.
Why are polygraphs pointless?
Polygraphs are pointless for the sole fact that they can be easily beaten, with minimal training someone can control their emotions enough to successfully pass a polygraph. They were eliminating to many good candidates who did something stupid 15 years ago, admitted to it and still felt guilty about having ever done it so they react to the question when asked. If we cannot use the polygraph results in court against the criminals we arrest, charge, take to trial and lock up then why should we use them against a person who wants to uphold the law? Because the results are subjective easily manipulated, not to mention it's an obstacle that can extend a hiring date by months at a time when no one wants to be a LEO because of the media (by no one I mean many of the younger generations coming out of high school currently or within the next 5-10 years) for the people who truly want to be in our field making them jump through 100 hoops and waiting months and months to pursue their passion is not a good look.
Why is the PSP against poly?
One of the arguments made against using the poly is the recent cheating scandal PSP had. All of those involved took a poly and it did noting to detect the integrity of an individual. Maybe they were all perfect angels until they had the opportunity to be dishonest.
Is a polygraph a good investigative tool?
It wrongly eliminates too many good candidates who have nothing to hide, but react as though they do. A polygraph, I suppose, is fine if it's used as an investigative tool (i.e. candidate reacted a bit to a question about driving history, look hard for some tickets he might not have mentioned, hammer friends about drinking/driving habits of candidate). But too often, it's used as an end all/be all tool to eliminate candidates: He spiked on a question, he's done, period, end of discussion. A good investigator can uncover much more than a polygraph can.
Is PSP expensive?
It wouldn't surprise me if more departments start following PSP's lead and dropping it from their hiring processes. It's expensive since very few departments here have a dedicated polygraph unit, and thus have to contract to private investigators or other departments that do have a polygrapher.
Does PA have a polygraph?
To be honest, it's not unprecedented. While most LE agencies in PA do either the polygraph or the voice stress test, there's a few notable ones that don't. Last I checked, Pittsburgh doesn't do it, Philly does it now, but it wouldn't surprise me if they got rid of it considering that they're hurting for people now. Temple doesn't use it, Bethlehem doesn't (or at least it isn't listed on their website), the PA Game Commission doesn't, and there's a small number of departments in Montgomery County that don't use it either. Most sheriff's offices don't use it either.
What police polygraph questions are asked?
Many police polygraph questions ask about drug use and/or theft. They are crime-specific questions and refer to the answers provided in the pre-interview phase and in other answers you provided during the initial application process. Background checks may also have been performed.
What is a polygraph test?
What is the police polygraph exam? The polygraph is the technical term for what’s ordinarily called the “lie detector”. To become a police officer in the United States, you must pass the police polygraph exam; one of the most feared elements of the police test.
How many times is a polygraph asked?
Often, the same question is asked more than one time, often up to 3-5 times, to ensure that the examiner has fully gauged the physiological response.
What is the post polygraph phase?
Post-polygraph phase : after the polygraph has ended, often examiners will talk to you about inconsistencies that came up. You may be asked to explain why some inconsistencies appear on 2-3 questions.
How to tell if you are lying on a polygraph?
Examiners will use other methods to determine whether you are lying. One of those methods is body language analysis. Try to control your body language and not to conceal nor exaggerate your body movements. Questions on polygraph exams are often yes or no in nature. You do not need to react more than what’s required of you. Otherwise, it may raise unnecessary alarm bells.
What questions do police ask on polygraphs?
Many police polygraph questions ask about drug use and/or theft. They are crime-specific questions and refer to the answers provided in the pre-interview phase and in other answers you provided during the initial application process. Background checks may also have been performed.
Why is it important to be nervous when answering a polygraph?
Nervousness increases heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration, and skin conductivity. The more nervous answering specific questions over other questions , the more likely you are to be lying. That’s the fundamental basis on how the polygraph works.
What tests do police officers use?
The Inquirer says most law enforcement agencies use lie detector tests, although exceptions include the New York City Police and New Jersey State Police.
Why is the troopers union criticizing the decision?
The union argues that the tests help ensure hires have the highest personal integrity.
Is the Pennsylvania State Police still testing lie detectors?
HARRISBURG (AP) -- The Pennsylvania State Police is no longer subjecting recruits to lie-detector tests, saying the agency has lost good job applicants because the tests added time to the hiring process.
Does Duncannon have a police force?
Though municipalities like Duncannon have shed their police forces in light of budget crunches, the state police have actually seen a slight decrease in the number of municipalities they cover over the last five years.
