Expert: Loren Stevens - 3/20/2007

Question
I really want to become a police officer. I am a very good person, have never been arrested or even committed a crime..except smoking marijuana....i started smoking in high school and it became a habit....i always knew i wanted to be a police officer but it was very hard for me to quit smoking....i have recently quit and i want to apply to become a police officer...when i apply it will be about six-months since i last smoked pot...i know that i will be able to pass a drug screening...so MY QUESTION: during my polygraph test i am planning to tell the examiner that I have smoked pot in the past...should i though...be a little less than truthful about how long ago it was? And if i am completely truthful will this disqualify me for employment? I appreciate any advice that u are able to offer.

Answer
Hello Questioner,
Well, I'm sorry to rain on your plans, but I think you'll discover a bigger challenge than you might imagine.
Much of what a person advances is usually framed to give them the best results.
In your case, let me paraphrase what you've uttered, implied, and suggest.
You say you are a "very good person" (in your biased opinion), as you go on to say you have "never been arrested)which may be more attributed to luck and caution, as much as your design, or conduct. You say that you are essentially a habitual user of a controlled substance. Ergo, you COULD have been caught along the way, as you often used.
Then you say that basically the only wrong you perpetrate, is the using of dope. So, again, you have a pattern of deciding which laws you will obey, and those that you will violate. It might surprise you to discover, that most states illustrate "furnishing" dope, and "sales" as falling into the same category. So, if you've ever given, sold, shared dope, you would have trouble with that aspect of the polygraph as well.
None of us have the right to recognize and obey the laws ala carte. The "duty", is to be responsible as an ongoing issue and pattern of behavior.
Another matter you should entertain, is the difference between youthful indiscretion,versus adult responsibility. And, see the clarity of difference of "experimental" errant conduct as a juvenile, against the mature responsible conduct of an adult.
Then, to conclude your inquiry, you essentially seek a way to beat, or at the least, fudge on the polygraph.
Unless you are a sociopath, you won't beat it!
You can call the agency you are interested in, and inquire what there policy is on applicant's prior use of dope. At that juncture, you'll realize what your probability is going to be.
My counsel to you, is to be as up-front and candid as you can during a polygraph examination. Otherwise, you'll fail....it's that simple.
Now, in closing, let me add this, along with being drug free, and honest, all police agencies are also very interested in character of the applicant.
I want you to review your question to me, and YOU determine if you possess those qualities.
Sorry to sound like a Dutch Uncle, but I tend to level with folks, and not pound sunshine .................where it doesn't go.
Hope this epistle is helpful to you.
loren