Why are cops afraid of polygraph testing?

THE EDITOR: What is so wrong with police officers having to take polygraph tests to be in these elite units of the police service? What are they so fearful of? As the saying goes, “What do they have to hide?” I see nothing wrong with it and believe that the qualifications screening process should go even further than just this test. I believe that the government should rewrite the laws governing the qualifications for entry into and retention in the police service, fire service and military (Coast Guard and Regiment) to require drug testing of all applicants and officers. This process is standard practice in most, if not all first world countries. Why should TT be any different? This is true especially since it has high aspirations of being one of the first world countries by 2020.

Drug screening is not only used by the US military, but all state and local governments in the USA. It is also used by many private employers to screen their prospective employees. Many businesses proudly display signs upon entry that they are a “drug-free workplace”. So if you want to work there, you had better be drug-free also. In the case of the military, it is not only done prior to joining, but a serviceperson is subject to continued drug testing throughout his/her time in the service. This process ensures a drug-free military, as one never knows when your number will be called and you have to be tested. So, I believe that with the number of problems experienced by the police service in recent times, with lost and rat-eaten cocaine, etc, this suggestion should be given serious consideration. I also believe that such a measure would help restore public confidence in the battered image of the police service, as it would help “weed out”, the miscreants and bad elements from among the “good guys”. It would also help to keep everyone on the up and up, as no one would know just when he could be called to make a deposit in the bottle that could end his career.

The law could be structured in such a way to give first time offenders a suspension for a period of time, along with a fine and drug counselling. From there, the punishments would be increased, up to jail time and dismissal from the service(s). The more senior the officer, the harsher the punishment should be (as he/she should know better), as compared to a young junior. I believe that the government should make this change (drug-testing requirement) a part of the Police Reform Bills they are seeking to enact. If you are going to change the police service and the culture within it, this is one of the measures that should be introduced. I believe also, that with consultation with the Opposition, as we saw recently, they too would support such a change to the law, to ensure a better police service for a better TT. I know that many officers and their associations will balk at the notion of being subjected to these drug tests, but this is the reality of our times and they need to come to grips with it and have their members adjust as such. This should all be part of the maturing process within our politics and society and should be made part of our Vision 2020 goals.

KELVIN C JAMES, Sr
Port-of-Spain