Reporter's Notebook: Here's why police use polygraphs and how they work - Twin Falls Times-News
Reporter's Notebook: Here's why police use polygraphs and how they work - Twin Falls Times-News |
| Posted: 07 Oct 2019 01:00 AM PDT While my recent columns have dealt with cool cars and motorcycles, now that many of those have gone into hibernation thanks to the rush of cold weather, I'll take the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity about the workings of other equipment in various fields. While writing about how law enforcement agencies are struggling to find recruits, for instance, the idea of taking a polygraph test as part of the pre-employment screening for the Twin Falls Police Department intrigued me. That led to a sit-down meeting with Chief Craig Kingsbury and Lt. Craig Stotts, both of whom have performed numerous polygraph tests over the years. Stotts has been handling the process for Twin Falls Police for the past seven years. Kingsbury started in 1999 when he worked for other agencies, though he hasn't done any polygraphs since he took over as chief about four years ago. The training involved in becoming a qualified polygraph examiner is extensive; there's a 10-week course, and it's expensive. The tests are computerized now, with no paper read-out, as is often seen on television. "It's not like on TV," Stotts said. He acknowledged there are a lot of misconceptions about polygraph tests, including the alternate title "lie detector." "It really isn't a lie detector," Stotts explained. "It's a physiological monitor and recording device." What that means, basically, is that the instrument and the various sensors connected to the subject's body monitor reactions to questions via breathing, blood pressure, body motion, pulse and even perspiration. In the case of Twin Falls Police pre-employment polygraph tests, Stotts related how he can spend two or more hours preparing the applicant for a 10-minute test. "Everybody who comes in for a polygraph is nervous," Stotts said. I was no exception. Even though I had nothing on the line, such as a prospective job or a criminal case, when Stotts got me in the rather small room where a laptop computer with specialized software is hooked up to the instrument, I could feel my heart pounding. The chair, which might be found at any office desk or conference table, reminded me of an electric chair, with the wires and devices. Being naturally a squirmy sort when sitting anywhere, when Stotts told me one of the keys is to be still during the polygraph, I cringed. A rectangular pad on the chair's seat would sense if I tensed my gluteal muscles, or even wiggled my toes. Two gold-plated bands were secured with Velcro to my right index and ring fingers, with a pulse monitor on my middle finger. On my left arm, a blood pressure cuff was secured and partially inflated. Two hoses were wrapped around my torso with chains, one across my chest and the other around my midsection.  You have run out of free stories. To continue reading, take advantage of our LOWEST offer yet! Loading&hellp;
Thanks for being a subscriber.Sorry, your subscription does not include this content.Please call 866.948.6397 to upgrade your subscription. Thanks for reading. Stott demonstrated how if I took a deep breath or held my breath, the software would show it on the computer screen. The practice test he gave is meant to determine whether a subject's physiological system is able to be tested. By forcing a reaction, the polygraph examiner can get an idea of what that reaction will be by watching the multi-colored lines move across the screen. Stott said that when doing the practice test, some people's reactions don't lend to performing the test. As for me, I was a good subject. The polygraph test itself gives the police the most accurate results available. "We only use the tests that have been validated," Stott said. For Kingsbury, applicants wishing to become police officers need to be honest in answering the questions. "The number one thing I'm looking for is integrity," Kingsbury said. Stotts agreed. "Everybody lies." It's just vital not to lie taking the polygraph test. There are other types of polygraph tests, Stott said. In criminal cases, a specific issue test could be given, where a subject is asked certain questions, perhaps multiple times, to confirm statements given about criminal activities. Stott performs some of those, for both Twin Falls Police and other area agencies. "We help out our partners all over the place." Both Stott and Kingsbury have stories to tell about their experiences administering polygraph exams during the pre-employment screening. Kingsbury, for example, recalled a police candidate while he worked in Nampa about 15 years ago. A high school teacher and former college athlete, the individual failed to be truthful about thefts from his second job. Stotts told of a candidate who had been stealing from the business where he worked and from his fellow employees. "These are things you would never know without the polygraph," Stotts said. "It scares me as a police chief that some departments don't use this tool," Kingsbury said about those agencies that don't use a polygraph as part of pre-employment screening. He added, "With public trust being what it is today, we can't hire someone and have something come up later."  |
| Lloyd 'Pete' Waters: How does this stuff work anyway? - Herald-Mail Media Posted: 05 Oct 2019 08:00 PM PDT  How does this stuff work anyway? It's 3:43 a.m. and I can't sleep. There are a few Facebook friends still up and some more are getting ready to go out the door for their long commutes to the big city to make a few dollars. Some of those folks too lazy to work will be sleeping late, nothing new for them. The happenings on this planet last night will soon be reported on the tube and found on newsstands around the world. And some other early risers will be looking for that first cup of coffee. But for me, I'm just sitting here in the dark trying to figure out how stuff works. I know I shouldn't spend so much time thinking about politics. I decided a long time ago, if I can't fix it, don't worry. But that's easier said than done. Politics is becoming something, I fear, which cannot be fixed. When folks apply for a job, there is usually a résumé of work experience to consider. For instance, an airplane pilot for a major airline would surely have an extensive résumé that would include how to fly and land an airplane safely. A heart surgeon would most likely have an extensive academic record and internship before he or she is given a scalpel. And even that poor correctional officer candidate in Maryland is required to pass a test, get a physical, and take a polygraph exam before being hired. But how and why are there no similar requirements for politicians? No great work experience is required for this profession and they don't have to take a polygraph. One can be very young, very old, a little smart, a wee bit dumb, or a mere salesman of wares and still get elected; your democracy at work, or maybe not so much, I'm thinking. You don't even have to like our form of government to run for political office. Just look around! Politicians can be really naive about the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, our style of government or world events, and still prevail. They don't even have to read good books. Why don't we consider then giving our aspiring political friends a simple test before they run for office? Can't we at least use some Lego (an abbreviation of two Danish words meaning "play well") blocks as requirements to see if our candidates know how to plan, interact with people, and build things before they campaign? If they can't work with people, that should be a clue. Whoever created the current political selection method, I have concluded, must have been either suffering from mad cow disease or have been under the influence of some bad 'shine. Are you concerned by some elected folks? I'd like to see a political job application read: "Wanted: a mature, wise and knowledgeable person who knows how to read, write, talk, deal with large budgets, and be responsible for solving the many problems of our country. The candidate should be really smart and know how to make good decisions. Getting along with people and working together is essential. This person should be honest, filled with high moral character and know right from wrong. A polygraph may be required (Hey, if it works so well for police and correctional officers, why not politicians?)." Better ignore that last suggestion, or our congressional vacancies might far exceed those in today's Maryland prisons. Simple popularity may be considered, but work experience must be a priority. Do you believe any of these requirements are unreasonable? Would you actually hire someone in your own business if they could not produce or get along with people? Me neither. How many politicians today have any knowledge about huge budgets or solving problems? OK, why don't we just forget those aforementioned suggestions? Sorry I took so much of your valuable time while that sleepy dirt was still in your eyes this morning. I know you're having some difficulty focusing. Our political candidates today will be fine. No need for them to have any problem-solving skills at all. We'll just continue to allow anyone to run for political office and get elected. No experience necessary. And maybe, if no one duly objects, we can apply that same logic, for a little consistency's sake, in selecting that commercial airplane pilot as we do for our political friends. Let's permit anyone to fly and land those big airplanes regardless of experience. "Please fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen," this inexperienced pilot might announce one day. "We're expecting a little turbulence." And then what? How does this stuff work anyway? Not very well, I am beginning to think. Now back to bed to get some sleep! Pleasant dreams? Probably not. Lloyd "Pete" Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.  |
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