Lawyers say CoP wrong to order lie tests

Yesterday, Secretary of the Police Second Division sgt. Noel Chase told Newsday that the legal advice was sought after police officers complained that they were being forced to undergo polygraph tests.

Some officers of the Anti Kidnapping Squad who reportedly failed the lie detector tests were transferred out of the unit and ordered to work in uniform.

They have since taken the matter to court.

In Central Division, some officers of the CID were also instructed to take lie detector tests and they refused.

The officers are fearful that they too could be transferred out in uniform.

Contacted yesterday, Paul stood by the directive saying that if entry into specialised units requires polygraph testing then it should done.

He said that it is part of the process of transformation of the police service along with the re-certification.

This was described as unacceptable by Chase who said that his executive have issued directions in a bulletin advising members that they are not required to undergo the tests.

He said based on the legal advice, polygraph testing results are not 100 percent accurate so officers should not be penalised for this.

Chase however made it clear that the the goal of the police service should not be made to suffer as a result of the situation and he is hoping that something could be worked out amicably.