Philly cop recruits to get lie detector tests
Anyone who has watched an episode of “Law & Order” knows that the results of a polygraph test are not admissable in court. But Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey is looking to make them admissable in the process of choosing police officers.
As reported by MyFoxPhilly, Ramsey said starting this spring, all recruits headed for training at the police academy’s next class will undergo a lie detector or polygraph test in addition to the physical, psychological and written tests. Ramsey said he believed the psychological test, the polygraph test and background checks will give the department advanced indicators that a particular candidate my not be fit to join the ranks.
According to the article, Philadelphia police used to undergo polygraph tests years ago, but the practice was halted back in 2003 by Commissioner Sylvester Johnson.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.