The polygraph examination is a crucial step in the hiring process for many law enforcement agencies. This test is designed to assess the truthfulness and integrity of applicants by exploring various aspects of their personal and professional history. Below is a comprehensive list of questions that may be asked during a polygraph screening. Answering these questions honestly and thoroughly is essential to ensure a successful application process.
The questions cover a wide range of topics, including identity, citizenship, residency, education, employment history, financial status, military service, driving record, alcohol and drug use, criminal history, and any previous law enforcement experience. This extensive questionnaire is intended to provide a detailed background check and ensure that all potential law enforcement officers meet the high standards required for the job.
By reviewing and preparing your answers to these questions in advance, you can help facilitate a smoother and more efficient polygraph examination process. Remember, honesty is paramount in this process, and any intentional misrepresentation, omission, or falsification of information can lead to disqualification from the hiring process. Take your time to reflect on your past experiences and provide accurate and detailed responses to each question.
The Ultimate 300-Question Checklist for Law Enforcement Polygraph Tests
Below is the list of questions you may encounter during the polygraph examination:
Identity
1. Has your name ever been changed by court order?
2. Have you ever used a false name, date of birth, or place of birth for any reason?
3. Have you ever obtained, possessed, or used any form of false identification?
4. Have you ever used a false Social Security Number or someone else’s SSN?
5. Have you ever misrepresented your identity to any law enforcement agency?
6. Have you ever falsified your identity on any job application, credit application, or other official document?
7. While underage, did you ever use any type of false identification to buy alcoholic beverages?
Citizenship
8. Have you ever held citizenship in any country other than the United States?
9. Have you ever worked for a foreign government or law enforcement agency?
10. Have you ever been a member of a foreign military service?
11. Have you ever worked for or been affiliated with a foreign intelligence agency?
12. Are you a Naturalized United States Citizen?
13. Have you provided this department with a valid Naturalization Certificate?
14. Do you possess a valid passport issued by a foreign country?
15. Have you taken part in committing any crime(s) in another country?
Residency
16. Have you ever been evicted or threatened with eviction from any place you have lived?
17. Have you ever had a mortgage foreclosure taken against you?
18. Have you ever been ordered to vacate any place you have lived, excluding eviction or foreclosure?
19. Have you ever been forced to vacate housing at any college due to disciplinary problems?
20. Have you ever received a notice to appear in Landlord-Tenant Court?
21. Do you reside at any other address on a regular basis?
22. Have you ever broken a lease at any place you lived?
23. Have any liens been placed against any property you have owned?
24. Have you had any police contact while leasing or renting?
25. Have you been involved in any arguments or fights with any of your neighbors?
26. Will any of your current or former neighbors say anything derogatory about you?
27. Have you ever moved out of any place you have lived due to arguments or disputes with your spouse, family members, roommates, neighbors, or landlords?
Education
28. Were you ever suspended or expelled from any type of learning establishment for any reason?
29. Did you ever have any adverse contact with high school security or school police?
30. Were you ever taken into custody or charged with any crimes by high school security or police?
31. Did you ever have any adverse contact with college campus security or police?
32. Were you ever taken into custody or charged with any crimes by campus security or police?
33. Were you ever questioned as a suspect in any crimes by campus security or police?
34. Were you ever ineligible to return to any high school or college due to disciplinary reasons?
35. Were you ever barred from entering the property of any high school or college?
36. Did you ever have any adverse contact with any resident assistants?
37. Were you ever required to appear before any college hearing board as a result of disciplinary action?
38. Did you ever cheat on any exams, tests, assignments, projects, or papers in high school or college?
39. Were you ever caught cheating in any educational or training environment?
40. Did you ever falsify your high school or college grades or grade point average?
41. Did you ever falsify any information on your high school or college transcripts?
42. Did you ever have any academic or disciplinary probations in high school or college?
Employment
43. Have you ever been fired from any job?
44. Have you ever been allowed to resign from any job in place of being fired?
45. Have you ever quit any job because you thought you were going to get fired?
46. Are you ineligible for rehire at any place of employment now?
47. Have you ever been denied any merit increases due to poor performance evaluations?
48. Have you ever been involved in any physical or verbal confrontation with any coworker, supervisor, or customer?
49. Have you ever quit any job due to allegations of misconduct on your part?
50. Have you ever received any written disciplinary action on any jobs?
51. Have you ever been suspended (with or without pay) from any job?
52. Have you ever been investigated for any criminal acts against any of your employers?
53. Have you ever been involved in industrial or corporate espionage?
54. Have you ever committed any criminal acts against any of your employers or coworkers?
55. Have you ever deliberately violated any serious employment rules or regulations?
56. Have you ever deliberately violated any employment nondisclosure agreements?
57. Have you ever been denied employment due to adverse results of a background investigation?
58. Have you ever applied to any police department or law enforcement agency?
59. Have you ever been employed by any police department or other law enforcement agency?
60. Have you ever been rejected for employment by any police department or law enforcement agency?
61. Have you ever had any prior polygraph examination? If “Yes”, list when, where, and results.
62. Have you ever before made application for employment with the Maryland State Police? If yes, when, what position, and what is the status of that application.
Finances / Credit / Lawsuits
63. Have you ever declared bankruptcy?
64. Have any court-ordered financial judgments ever been taken against you?
65. Have you ever had any property repossessed?
66. Have you ever had any accounts taken over by a collection agency?
67. Are any of your current debts or bills 30 or more days delinquent?
68. Have any liens been placed against any property you have owned?
69. Have you ever been sanctioned by the IRS or any state income tax agency?
70. Do you have any alimony or child support obligations?
71. Have your wages ever been garnished?
72. Has anyone ever sued you?
73. Have you ever sued anyone?
74. Have you ever received any out-of-court settlements?
75. Have any of your bank accounts ever been garnished or frozen?
Military Service
76. Have you ever served in any branch of the United States military?
77. Have you ever been rejected by any branch of the military?
78. Have you ever served in, or attempted to enlist in, any branch of a foreign military?
79. Have you registered for selective service?
80. Did you receive an Honorable Discharge? (IF NO, EXPLAIN)
81. Were you ever court-martialed?
82. Did you ever receive any nonjudicial punishments (written or verbal reprimand, etc.)?
83. Were you ever questioned as a suspect in any crimes by any U.S. or foreign military police?
84. Did you ever have any adverse contact with any U.S. or foreign police?
85. Were you ever denied eligibility for re-enlistment?
86. Were you ever charged with any violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)?
87. Have you ever altered a copy of your DD-214 during any pre-employment investigation?
Driver’s License / Record / Accidents
88. Have you ever operated a vehicle after consuming any intoxicating substance to the point of impairment or intoxication?
89. Have you ever fled from, or attempted to elude, police while on foot or in a vehicle?
90. Have you ever operated a motor vehicle knowing it was uninsured/unregistered?
91. Have your license plates ever been confiscated by the police or MVA?
92. Has your vehicle insurance ever been canceled or denied renewal?
93. Have you ever failed to appear in court as a result of any traffic ticket?
94. Have you ever received any traffic tickets as a result of a traffic accident?
95. Have you ever been involved in any lawsuit as a result of a traffic accident?
96. Have you ever been involved in a hit-and-run accident?
97. Have you ever lied to any police officers to try to get out of a traffic ticket?
98. Have you ever lied to a judge in traffic court?
99. Do you currently have any traffic or parking tickets for which you have not paid the fine or appeared in court for?
100. Have you ever had a driver’s license in any other state? If so, list the periods of time for each.
101. Have you ever filed to have any violations expunged from your driving record? If so, explain.
Alcoholic Beverage Use
102. Have you ever blacked out, passed out, or incurred any loss of memory due to excessive drinking?
103. Have you ever drunk too much because you were depressed?
104. Have you ever been rejected for employment by any law enforcement agencies due to your drinking habits or problems in your life due to drinking?
105. Have you ever been stopped or detained by any law enforcement authorities for suspicion of driving while intoxicated or impaired?
106. Have you ever been arrested, or received any criminal charges or citations for any alcohol-related offenses?
107. Have you ever consumed alcoholic beverages during working hours on any jobs in violation of employment rules or regulations?
108. Have you ever been in any verbal or physical fights with anyone as a result of your drinking?
109. While an adult, have you furnished or provided alcoholic beverages to any person(s) you knew were underage (excluding your own children)? Please provide the details.
110. Have you ever falsified your identity to buy alcoholic beverages while underage?
111. Have you ever consumed alcoholic beverages while underage? How many times? Date of most recent occasion?
112. Have you ever been issued a citation for any underage alcohol violation?
Arrests / Criminal Charges / Criminal Investigations
113. As an adult or juvenile, have you ever been arrested?
114. As an adult or juvenile, have you ever received a criminal/civil summons or citation for a violation of any law?
115. Have you ever received an underage alcohol citation?
116. Have any criminal charges against you ever been dropped or dismissed?
117. Have you ever received probation before judgment (PBJ) for any criminal charges?
118. Have you ever been granted immunity from prosecution for any criminal charges?
119. Have you ever accepted a plea bargain for any criminal charges?
120. Do you currently have any criminal charges pending payment of fine or court disposition?
121. Have you ever been investigated or interviewed by any law enforcement or security personnel as a suspect in any crime?
122. Have you ever been concerned that you were under investigation for the commission of any crimes even though you were not directly contacted by any law enforcement authorities?
123. Have you ever pled guilty or been found guilty of any criminal charges?
124. Have you ever been placed into a jail, prison, or detention center as a result of criminal charges?
125. Are you currently wanted in any jurisdiction for any reason?
126. Have you ever been on parole or probation?
Family / Domestic Violence Issues
127. Have the police ever responded to any domestic violence incident in which you were involved?
128. Have you ever been involved in any domestic violence incident when the police did not respond?
129. Have you ever received any of the following court orders against you: ex parte, restraining order, protective order, peace order, or any other court order naming you as a defendant?
130. Have you ever been investigated by any authority for allegations of physical child abuse or child neglect?
131. Have you ever inflicted any physical injury to any child who was in your care and custody?
132. Have you ever been involved in any physical confrontation during any domestic dispute?
133. Have you ever used a weapon or threatened anyone with a weapon during any domestic dispute?
134. Have you ever damaged the personal property of another during any domestic dispute?
135. Will any of your former spouse(s), fiancé(s), boyfriend(s) or girlfriend(s), domestic or life partner(s), or significant others provide any adverse or derogatory information about you?
Sexual Crime Issues
136. Have you ever had sexual contact with any child under the age of 18 when you were four or more years older than that child? (Include whether or not you paid the child in any form to participate in the sexual contact.)
137. Have you ever intentionally viewed, possessed, distributed, or manufactured any form of child pornography?
138. Have you ever had, or attempted to have, sexually explicit conversations with a child via a computer or any other media outlet?
139. Have you ever engaged in any sexual acts involving prostitution, including committing the act of prostitution, arranging the services of a prostitute, or profiting from those services?
140. Have you ever engaged in sexual contact with any animal?
141. Have you ever committed, participated in, or facilitated an act of rape?
142. Have you ever sexually touched another person against their will and without their consent?
143. Have you ever committed any sexual act with another person against their will or when the other person was unable to consent or resist due to a disabling condition such as intoxication or any physically or mentally incapacitating condition or event?
144. Have you ever exposed your sexual parts to harass, frighten, or shock another person?
145. Have you ever had inappropriate sexual contact with any family member?
146. Have you ever video recorded/taped/photographed a sex act(s) without the consent/knowledge of the other person(s) involved?
Serious Crime Issues
147. Have you ever taken part in committing a burglary or breaking and entering?
148. Have you ever forged any documents for financial gain or criminal intent?
149. Have you ever taken part in committing arson or malicious burning?
150. Have you ever taken part in the malicious destruction of another person’s property?
151. Have you ever taken part in committing computer hacking or computer crimes?
152. Have you ever taken part in the manufacture or detonation of bombs or explosive devices?
153. Have you ever made a false bomb threat, false fire alarm call, or false 911 call?
154. Have you ever committed any form of animal cruelty? (does not include lawful hunting)
155. Have you ever taken part in committing any other crime(s) against property not specifically listed in the above questions?
156. Have you ever been criminally involved in the death of a person (murder, manslaughter)?
157. Have you ever taken part in committing an armed robbery?
158. Have you ever taken part in committing a strong-arm robbery, mugging, or purse snatching?
159. Have you ever assaulted anyone with any type of weapon?
160. Excluding the use of weapons, have you ever physically assaulted anyone?
161. Have you ever seriously injured anyone as a result of assaulting them?
162. Have you ever taken part in a kidnapping, abduction, or false imprisonment?
163. Have you ever stalked or criminally harassed anyone?
164. Have you ever made any threats of bodily harm to anyone?
165. Have you ever taken part in committing blackmail or extortion?
166. Have you ever taken part in illegal gambling?
167. Have you ever impersonated yourself as a police officer or other law enforcement agent?
168. Have you ever taken part in committing any other crime(s) against persons not specifically listed in the above questions?
Serious Crimes Involving Terrorism / Homeland Security
169. Have you ever been affiliated with any organizations, groups, gangs, or persons who would seek to engage in acts of violence toward the United States government, military, businesses, or citizens?
170. Have you ever been affiliated with any organizations, groups, gangs, or persons who support or advocate any acts of terrorism toward the United States government, military, or any U.S. business or citizen?
171. Have you ever taken part in any anti-U.S. rallies, meetings, marches, or protests?
172. Have you ever taken part in any acts of treason against the United States?
173. Have you ever taken part in committing sabotage or espionage against the United States?
174. Have you ever donated any money, time, or services to any anti-U.S. organizations?
175. Have you accessed any information from any sources about techniques of beating, cheating on, or using countermeasures on polygraph examinations?
176. Have you accessed any information from any sources about methods used to cheat on voice stress tests, urinalysis tests, psychological tests, background investigations, or any other aspects of personnel security screening?
177. Have you ever been granted a security clearance by the U.S. Government?
178. Was your security clearance ever suspended or taken away from you due to any allegations of wrongdoing on your part or investigations into such activities?
179. Have you ever been involved in any activities, behaviors, or incidents that someone could use against you for blackmail?
180. Is there anything you would like to explain or clarify concerning potentially adverse or derogatory information which may be developed about you during a police background investigation?
Theft Issues
181. Have you ever shoplifted any merchandise from a store?
182. Have you ever helped anyone shoplift (lookout, divert store employees, hide merchandise, etc.)?
183. Have you ever stolen any money, merchandise, or property from any place you have worked?
184. Have you ever stolen any money, merchandise, or property from any of your coworkers?
185. Excluding places where you have worked or shoplifted from, have you ever stolen any money, merchandise, or property from any other place or anyone else?
186. Have you ever returned any stolen merchandise to a store for an exchange or refund?
187. Have you ever short-changed customers or over-rung sales and kept the extra money?
188. Have you ever taken part in committing embezzlement?
189. Have you ever deliberately falsified any time cards, work schedules, expense accounts, payroll documents, purchase orders, bills, invoices, or any other financial document to commit a theft?
190. Have you ever knowingly received, purchased, or sold any stolen property?
191. Have you ever helped anyone steal any money, merchandise, or property?
192. Have you ever filed any false insurance claims?
193. Have you ever used someone’s credit card, bank card, debit card, ATM card, checking or savings accounts without that person’s permission?
194. Have you ever written any checks on an account you knew to be closed?
195. Have you ever stolen from any governmental agency to include intentionally falsifying any income tax return?
196. Have you ever taken or stolen anything not specifically listed in the above questions?
Illegal Drug Issues
197. Have you ever used more than one type of illegal drug at the same time? (Marijuana + Cocaine; Marijuana + LSD; Hashish + Cocaine, etc.)
198. Have you ever used illegal drugs in combination with alcoholic beverages?
199. Have you ever used illegal drugs in combination with prescription or over-the-counter medicine?
200. Have you ever blacked out, passed out, or incurred a loss of memory due to the use of illegal drugs?
201. Have you ever used an illegal drug during working hours at any job?
202. Have you ever reported for work to any job while you were high or under the influence of illegal drugs?
203. Have you ever used an illegal drug while serving in the military?
204. Have you ever used an illegal drug because you were depressed?
205. Have you ever received treatment, counseling, or therapy due to illegal drug use?
206. Have you ever experienced any adverse contact with law enforcement due to illegal drug use, possession, or distribution?
207. Do any of your current close friends, roommates, or family members use illegal drugs?
208. Do any of your close coworkers use illegal drugs?
209. To your knowledge, do you know or suspect that there are any illegal drugs present in the house or apartment where you currently live?
210. Does anyone you currently associate with use any illegal drugs in your presence?
211. Have you solicited any persons who may be contacted during your background investigation to falsify information about your use or personal involvement with illegal drugs?
212. Have you ever ingested any substances to attempt to interfere with or falsify the outcome of any drug analysis tests, or any other tests you have taken?
213. Have you ever directly purchased any illegal drugs?
214. Have you ever contributed any money toward the purchase of illegal drugs?
215. Have you ever received any money to purchase illegal drugs?
216. Have you ever loaned anyone any money to purchase illegal drugs?
217. Have you ever traded anything to receive illegal drugs?
218. Have you ever performed any services for anyone to receive illegal drugs?
219. Have you ever directly sold any illegal drugs?
220. Have you ever received any money from anyone who sold illegal drugs?
221. Have you ever received any property or merchandise for providing someone with illegal drugs?
222. Has anyone performed any services or favors for you as a result of providing them with illegal drugs?
223. Have you ever driven, taken, or directed anyone to any place to purchase or sell illegal drugs?
224. Have you ever set up, arranged, or facilitated any illegal drug transactions?
225. Have you ever hidden any illegal drugs for yourself or anyone else?
226. Have you ever knowingly transported any illegal drugs in a vehicle, boat, plane, or other conveyance?
227. Have you ever distributed any illegal drugs?
228. Have you ever bought any illegal drugs over the Internet?
229. Have you ever grown or attempted to grow marijuana or any other illegal drugs?
230. Have you ever helped anyone grow or attempt to grow marijuana or any other illegal drugs?
231. Have you ever taken part in manufacturing any illegal drugs?
232. Have you ever taken part in producing any illegal drugs?
233. Have you ever taken or attempted to take any illegal drugs into or out of the United States?
234. Have you ever taken or attempted to take any illegal drugs into or out of any foreign country?
235. Have you ever used any illegal drugs, which are classified as illegal in the U.S., in any foreign countries where they are legal to use?
236. Have you ever bought any illegal drugs, which are classified as illegal in the U.S., in any foreign countries where they are legal to buy?
237. Have you ever ingested any prescription medicine for non-medical reasons? (to get high, out of curiosity, for social or recreational reasons, etc.)
238. Have you ever ingested any over-the-counter medicine for non-medical reasons?
239. Have you ever illegally bought any prescription medicine to include, but not limited to, Percocet, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, etc.?
240. Have you ever illegally sold any prescription medicine to include, but not limited to, Percocet, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, etc.?
241. Have you ever traded anything for prescription medicine?
242. Has anyone ever given you any prescription medicine for non-medical reasons?
243. Have you ever given anyone any prescription medicine for non-medical reasons?
244. Have you ever performed any services for anyone in order to receive prescription medicine?
245. Has anyone ever performed any services for you in exchange for prescription medicine?
246. Have you ever intentionally over-medicated or overdosed yourself?
247. Have you ever sought any prescriptions for any medicines with the intent to use them to get high?
248. Has there ever been a time in your life when you were addicted to any prescription medications?
249. Have you ever secretly given anyone any prescription medicine without that person’s knowledge or consent?
250. Have you ever taken part in any prescription forgeries?
Current or Prior Law Enforcement Questionnaire
251. Have you ever accepted any bribes in exchange for failing to perform your official duties?
252. Have you ever used excessive force while handling any person in custody or citizens or members of the public?
253. Have you ever lied or covered up for other police officers, correctional officers, or other criminal justice system employees whom you know have used excessive force?
254. Have you ever solicited any persons to lie about your own actions of using excessive force?
255. Have you ever falsified any reports or official documents with the intent to deceive?
256. Have you ever deliberately leaked confidential police information regarding any investigations, surveillances, stake-outs, raids, or any other police operations?
257. Have you ever discharged any firearm in violation of departmental or agency regulations?
258. Have you ever allowed unauthorized persons to use, carry, possess, or discharge your service weapon or other departmental firearms?
259. Have you ever failed to submit any found, confiscated, or seized items to the property or evidence room as mandated by your department’s regulations?
260. Have you ever kept any found, confiscated, or seized items for personal use?
261. Have you ever taken anything from the evidence room in violation of departmental regulations?
262. Have you ever taken anything from arrestees, prisoners, inmates, or detainees and failed to account for or submit the item(s) as mandated by your department’s regulations?
263. Are you now in possession (at your residence, in your personal vehicle, etc.) of anything that you know should be accounted for or submitted to your department’s property or evidence room?
264. Have you ever been fired from any law enforcement, security, investigative, intelligence, corrections, or other allied criminal justice system job?
265. Have you ever been allowed to resign in place of being fired from any law enforcement, security, investigative, intelligence, corrections, or other allied criminal justice system job?
266. Have you ever deliberately associated with any person(s) you knew was involved in criminal activity or illegal drug use, transactions, production, or smuggling?
267. Have you ever been involved with the transportation of any illegal drugs into any correctional facility?
268. Have you ever provided an inmate or prisoner with any type of contraband? (tobacco products, cell phones, alcohol, magazines, etc.)
269. Have you ever been involved in an internal investigation other than as the investigator? If so, please provide all details.
270. Have you ever engaged in any sexual contact with any prisoners, arrestees, or detainees?
271. Have you illegally used any drugs while employed as a law enforcement officer?
Conclusion
The questions listed above are designed to provide a comprehensive view of an applicant’s background and suitability for a position in law enforcement. This extensive questionnaire helps ensure that all potential law enforcement officers meet the high standards required for the job. It is important to note that many law enforcement agencies across the United States utilize polygraph examinations as part of their hiring process. These agencies include, but are not limited to:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- United States Secret Service
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- State Police and Highway Patrol agencies
- Local police departments and sheriff’s offices
By thoroughly preparing and answering these questions honestly, you can help facilitate a smoother and more efficient polygraph examination process. Remember, honesty is paramount in this process, and any intentional misrepresentation, omission, or falsification of information can lead to disqualification from the hiring process. Take your time to reflect on your past experiences and provide accurate and detailed responses to each question, ensuring a better chance of success in your application for a law enforcement position.