Expert: Jim Pastore - 7/22/2009

Question
I applied a long time ago for the police department. I took a polygraph and told the truth. I said i took a couple things whe i was young beer a bicycle and some pot a couple times. When i called the department to see how i did the detective told me i was disq for being to honest. I took that very hard so i applied at another department. Passed all the test and lied on the polygraph and passed it. Then they called the last department that i applied for and cros check the results and found that they where not the same and got failed on the background check for not telling the truth on the polygrpah. Ok still with me? So around 9 years later i am going to give it another shot. I just took a oral board and passed it. The thing that scares me is that if they check with that department again will they still have records that i lied on a polygraph. I am a good person i never really did anything wrong and was told that honesty will set you free but it does this does not seam like the case.

Answer
Nina,

   Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I always advise being honest. Every Department that I know of and have had experience with is looking for honesty over mistakes. I don't know all the circumstances, but unless it is something that you did numerous times I can't see them punishing you for it. Does the Department your applying with now know you applied elsewhere 9 years ago? And if they don't did they ask you about ever applying before? If they didn't ask then there should be no concern. I still recommend honesty. Maybe talk to the polygraph operator first about it. I truly don't know how to advise you without knowing all the facts and being able to speak with you about it. It's difficult to say the least to try to ask questions while typing. Not to mention I have laryngitis at the moment. I truly wish I could be of more help. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

Jim