Baton Rouge Police Officer Polygraph Case: First in 5 Years

Background of the Incident

In August 2018, Baton Rouge Police Department Officer Yuseff Hamadeh was involved in a shooting incident during a traffic stop that would trigger one of the most consequential internal affairs investigations in recent BRPD history [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Hamadeh, a member of the BRPD's Street Crimes Unit, reported that 21-year-old Raheem Howard had shot at him during the encounter, prompting the officer to return fire [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Howard was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer and illegal use of a weapon, charges that carried up to 50 years in prison [2]Verified Police officer's false claim could have sent a man to prison for 50 years
Confirms Raheem Howard faced up to 50 years in prison on charges that were later dropped and details the broader BRPD accountability context.

However, Howard maintained from the beginning that he never had a gun [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Questions quickly emerged about Hamadeh's account. Neighborhood residents reported hearing only one gunshot, and the BRPD internal affairs investigation found evidence that only one shot was fired — from Hamadeh's gun [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. No other gun was recovered from the scene [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Additionally, Hamadeh's body camera and front-facing dashcam were turned off during the incident, violating department policy [3]Verified Police officer's false claim could have sent a man to prison for 50 years (Part 2)
Confirms Sgt. Dauthier investigated for handling of case, camera policy violations, and internal resistance to Chief Paul's reforms. District Attorney Hillar Moore III eventually dropped the charges against Howard, stating there was no evidence to support Hamadeh's account [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background.

The Polygraph Decision

Police Chief Murphy Paul, who had been appointed as Baton Rouge's top law enforcement official in January 2018 after decades of work at Louisiana State Police, ordered Hamadeh to undergo a polygraph examination as part of the internal affairs investigation [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. This decision was significant: the polygraph was the first lie detector examination given during a BRPD internal affairs investigation in five years, the last having been conducted in October 2012 [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background.

BRPD spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola Jr. confirmed the five-year gap and described the polygraph as "an additional tool that the chief has at his disposal" [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. However, the department had no specific policy governing when polygraphs should be used in internal investigations [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Sgt. L'Jean McKneely confirmed that BRPD outsourced its polygraph examinations [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. The 2012 polygraph had been administered by someone in the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, while Hamadeh's exam was completed by an examiner with Louisiana State Police [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background.

Research consistently demonstrates that unaided human deception detection — even by trained law enforcement professionals — is unreliable. One landmark study found that police officers achieved only 47% accuracy in detecting deception, actually performing below the 50% chance threshold [5]Verified Training police officers to detect deceptive eyewitness statements. Does it work?
Confirms police officers achieved only 47% accuracy in detecting deception, below chance threshold. This underscores the value of polygraph testing as an objective investigative tool that goes beyond subjective human judgment.

Louisiana RS 40:2531 Requirements

Louisiana's Police Officer's Bill of Rights, codified in RS 40:2531, establishes minimum standards for investigations of law enforcement officers facing possible disciplinary action [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision. The law mandates several critical protections: all interrogations must be recorded in full, and the officer being questioned has the right to be represented by counsel during any administrative investigation [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision. Crucially, Louisiana law provides that any discipline, demotion, or dismissal taken without complete compliance with these minimum standards is "an absolute nullity" [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision.

These protections apply to police employees, Louisiana POST-certified probation and parole officers, and law enforcement officers employed by any municipality who are under investigation with a view to possible disciplinary action [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision. For Louisiana officers and departments, understanding these requirements is essential — and organizations like the Louisiana Polygraph Association provide guidance on maintaining proper standards.

The Right to Counsel Conflict

Hamadeh's attorney, Tommy Dewey, argued that the officer's due process rights were violated during the polygraph exam [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Specifically, Dewey contended that Hamadeh was denied the right to have his attorney present during the polygraph and that the examination was not properly recorded — two potential violations of the Police Officer's Bill of Rights [6]Verified Board reverses firing of Baton Rouge officer on violation of cop's rights; chief vows to appeal
Confirms the 3-2 civil service board vote overturning Hamadeh's termination and Julie Cherry's statements on due process violation.

This argument highlighted a fundamental tension in Louisiana law enforcement polygraph practice. Standard polygraph protocol requires that only the examiner and the subject be present in the examination room to maintain test integrity [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation. However, Louisiana's Police Officer's Bill of Rights guarantees officers the right to counsel during interrogations [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision. Louisiana case law recognizes polygraph examinations as a form of interrogation [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation, creating an inherent conflict between best polygraph practices and statutory officer protections.

As Paul's attorney, Ross Dooley, explained: polygraph best practices only allow for the examiner and the subject in the examination room, while the Police Officer's Bill of Rights maintains that an attorney can be present at all interrogations [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation. Research has shown that police officers themselves tend to believe polygraph tests are accurate and trustworthy [8]Verified Perceptions and Misunderstandings of Polygraph Testing — Comparison between Police Officers and College Students
Confirms police officers believed polygraph tests were accurate and trustworthy while students showed skepticism, which makes the procedural safeguards surrounding their administration even more important.

For professionals navigating these complexities, proper polygraph training is essential. Examiners conducting law enforcement internal affairs polygraphs in Louisiana must be well-versed in both examination technique and the legal framework governing officer rights.

Board Overturns Termination

In October 2018, Chief Paul fired Hamadeh for violating department policies on truthfulness, carrying out orders, proper use of digital mobile video and audio equipment, and conduct unbecoming an officer [6]Verified Board reverses firing of Baton Rouge officer on violation of cop's rights; chief vows to appeal
Confirms the 3-2 civil service board vote overturning Hamadeh's termination and Julie Cherry's statements on due process violation. Notably, the truthfulness violation related not to how Hamadeh reported the shooting itself, but to his failure to report that his car hit Howard's vehicle during the initial traffic stop [6]Verified Board reverses firing of Baton Rouge officer on violation of cop's rights; chief vows to appeal
Confirms the 3-2 civil service board vote overturning Hamadeh's termination and Julie Cherry's statements on due process violation.

Hamadeh appealed his termination to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. On January 17, 2019, the board voted 3-2 to grant a motion for summary disposition, ruling that the BRPD had violated the Police Officer's Bill of Rights by not allowing Hamadeh to have counsel present during the polygraph examination [6]Verified Board reverses firing of Baton Rouge officer on violation of cop's rights; chief vows to appeal
Confirms the 3-2 civil service board vote overturning Hamadeh's termination and Julie Cherry's statements on due process violation. Julie Cherry, the civil service board's chairwoman, stated: "Whatever else the facts are of this case, to me, there are affidavits that denied this officer his right to counsel during an interrogation" [6]Verified Board reverses firing of Baton Rouge officer on violation of cop's rights; chief vows to appeal
Confirms the 3-2 civil service board vote overturning Hamadeh's termination and Julie Cherry's statements on due process violation.

Cherry further noted that this procedural conflict was "probably the reason that polygraphs are rarely used in questioning police officers today, because, by definition by the type of exam it is, you're going to violate his rights" [6]Verified Board reverses firing of Baton Rouge officer on violation of cop's rights; chief vows to appeal
Confirms the 3-2 civil service board vote overturning Hamadeh's termination and Julie Cherry's statements on due process violation. Under Louisiana law, any violation of the Police Officer's Bill of Rights occurring during an investigation nullifies any resulting disciplinary action [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision.

The Gonzales Precedent

Dewey's argument was supported by a 2016 ruling from Louisiana's 1st Circuit Court of Appeal involving a City of Gonzales police officer [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. In that case, the court ruled that the officer deserved his job back because he was denied the right to record his polygraph exam and have his attorney present — the identical argument Dewey was making [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. Dewey noted that the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal includes Baton Rouge in its jurisdiction, making the ruling direct precedent for Hamadeh's case [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background.

However, a Louisiana State Police spokesman partially countered this argument. Sgt. Jared Sandifer stated that all LSP polygraph exams are recorded, though he agreed they are conducted as a one-on-one interview between examiner and subject [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. This suggested the recording issue may not have been a violation, though the right-to-counsel issue remained contested.

Interestingly, despite the polygraph being central to the appeal hearing, the polygraph results appeared to have been largely irrelevant to the original termination decision. Hamadeh was actually found truthful during the polygraph questioning, yet was still fired for being untruthful based on other evidence [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. LSU law professor Ken Levy observed this apparent contradiction, noting it raised questions about why the test was administered at all if the results would not influence the outcome [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background.

The Evans v. DeRidder case from 2002 had previously established that polygraph evidence could be admissible in administrative proceedings, particularly civil service hearings, even though it remained inadmissible in criminal and civil trials [9]Verified Evans v. DeRidder Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board (2002)
Confirms Louisiana Supreme Court ruling allowing polygraph evidence in administrative civil service proceedings. This created a unique legal landscape in Louisiana where polygraph results occupied different evidentiary standings depending on the type of proceeding.

The Settlement Agreement

Rather than pursue a potentially lengthy and costly appeal through the 19th Judicial District Court, Chief Paul and Hamadeh's attorney reached a settlement agreement in February 2019 [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation. Hamadeh voluntarily resigned from the Baton Rouge Police Department effective February 14, 2019 [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation. The deal left Hamadeh's prior termination defunct, provided him back pay for approximately four months between his firing and resignation, and barred any further legal proceedings in the case [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation.

Chief Paul explained the rationale for the settlement: further litigation would not guarantee the termination could be reinstated and could have languished for years, costing thousands of dollars [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation. He stated that the department stood by its decision to terminate Hamadeh but acknowledged "there was a risk to the department in going forward" [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation. Paul also submitted documentation to Louisiana POST requesting revocation of Hamadeh's certification and entry into the Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Statewide Reporting Database [7]Verified Fired Baton Rouge police officer resigns from department, receives back pay per agreement with BRPD
Confirms the settlement agreement, Hamadeh's resignation effective February 14, 2019, back pay, and the polygraph-counsel conflict explanation.

However, the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement denied the request to strip Hamadeh's POST certification because it did not meet the requirements for revocation [10]Verified THE INVESTIGATORS: Former officer accused of lying, shooting at unarmed man will not be charged; can still work in law enforcement
Confirms Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement denied POST certification revocation and Hamadeh remains eligible for law enforcement work. This meant Hamadeh remained eligible to work for another law enforcement agency [10]Verified THE INVESTIGATORS: Former officer accused of lying, shooting at unarmed man will not be charged; can still work in law enforcement
Confirms Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement denied POST certification revocation and Hamadeh remains eligible for law enforcement work.

Broader Impact on BRPD

The Hamadeh case became part of a broader pattern of accountability challenges at the Baton Rouge Police Department under Chief Paul's leadership. Paul, who came to BRPD after serving as commander of internal affairs at Louisiana State Police for two years through 2010, had pushed for significant cultural changes within the department [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background. The case illustrated the difficulties police leaders face when attempting to enforce accountability while navigating the legal protections afforded to officers.

The internal affairs investigation itself generated controversy, as the lead investigator, Sgt. John Dauthier, was subsequently investigated by his own department for how he handled the matter [3]Verified Police officer's false claim could have sent a man to prison for 50 years (Part 2)
Confirms Sgt. Dauthier investigated for handling of case, camera policy violations, and internal resistance to Chief Paul's reforms. According to reports, both Dauthier and other investigators had cautioned against using a polygraph, arguing it would complicate the case and the department lacked experience with them [3]Verified Police officer's false claim could have sent a man to prison for 50 years (Part 2)
Confirms Sgt. Dauthier investigated for handling of case, camera policy violations, and internal resistance to Chief Paul's reforms. But Chief Paul insisted on the examination [3]Verified Police officer's false claim could have sent a man to prison for 50 years (Part 2)
Confirms Sgt. Dauthier investigated for handling of case, camera policy violations, and internal resistance to Chief Paul's reforms, a decision that ultimately undermined the department's disciplinary action.

This case reinforced a critical lesson for law enforcement agencies: when using polygraph testing as an investigative tool, strict adherence to all legal requirements is paramount. Agencies seeking to incorporate polygraph examinations into their internal affairs processes should ensure examiners are properly trained and that all procedural requirements under state law are met.

Polygraph Licensing in Louisiana

Louisiana has one of the more comprehensive polygraph regulatory frameworks in the United States. The Louisiana State Polygraph Board, established under RS 37:2831, requires all polygraph examiners in the state to be licensed [11]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Louisiana
Confirms Louisiana polygraph examiner licensing requirements including 270 hours of coursework and six-month internship. The qualifications for obtaining a license include being a high school graduate, completing a polygraph course of at least 270 hours at an approved institution, completing a six-month internship, having no felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude convictions, and passing a state-administered examination [11]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Louisiana
Confirms Louisiana polygraph examiner licensing requirements including 270 hours of coursework and six-month internship.

Louisiana law specifically prohibits any person — including government employees — from administering a polygraph examination without first being certified by the board [12]Verified Louisiana RS 37:2837 — Unauthorized practice of polygraph examination
Confirms it is unlawful for any person including government employees to administer a polygraph without Louisiana board certification. The law specifies that only instruments recording cardiovascular, respiratory, and galvanic skin response patterns simultaneously and permanently can be used [11]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Louisiana
Confirms Louisiana polygraph examiner licensing requirements including 270 hours of coursework and six-month internship. This regulatory infrastructure was enacted in 1980, directly addressing one of the concerns raised in State v. Catanese (1979), which had noted Louisiana's lack of polygraph examiner regulation as a reason for excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials [13]Verified State v. Catanese (1979) — Louisiana Supreme Court
Confirms Louisiana's judicial policy excluding polygraph evidence in criminal trials while recognizing its high probative value under optimal conditions.

For those interested in becoming licensed polygraph examiners in Louisiana, accredited programs like those at the National Center for Credibility Assessment and the American International Institute of Polygraph provide the foundational training required. The American Polygraph Association also maintains standards that complement Louisiana's licensing requirements.

Polygraph Use in Louisiana Law Enforcement Hiring

While the Hamadeh case involved an internal affairs polygraph, it is worth noting that polygraph testing is standard practice in Louisiana law enforcement hiring. The Baton Rouge Police Department requires all applicants to submit to a polygraph as part of their hiring process [14]Verified BRPD Application Process for Recruits
Confirms BRPD applicants are given a Polygraph Questionnaire and Personal History Questionnaire during background investigation. Applicants are given a Polygraph Questionnaire and Personal History Questionnaire during the background investigation phase [14]Verified BRPD Application Process for Recruits
Confirms BRPD applicants are given a Polygraph Questionnaire and Personal History Questionnaire during background investigation. The BRPD requires candidates to be at least 21 years old, possess a valid Louisiana driver's license, and submit to a physical assessment, polygraph, extensive background investigation, criminal and credit check, oral interview, medical exam, drug screen, and liability risk assessment [14]Verified BRPD Application Process for Recruits
Confirms BRPD applicants are given a Polygraph Questionnaire and Personal History Questionnaire during background investigation.

Similarly, the Louisiana State Police includes a polygraph examination as part of its trooper applicant process [15]Verified Louisiana State Police — Application and Test
Confirms Louisiana State Police includes polygraph exam in the background investigation phase of trooper applicant process. During the background investigation and polygraph phase, the information provided on the Personal Data Questionnaire is verified through a thorough investigation, and applicants must submit to a polygraph test to confirm the truthfulness of information provided [15]Verified Louisiana State Police — Application and Test
Confirms Louisiana State Police includes polygraph exam in the background investigation phase of trooper applicant process. The Louisiana State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who falsifies, omits, or misrepresents information during the Polygraph Screening Booklet or the Polygraph Examination [15]Verified Louisiana State Police — Application and Test
Confirms Louisiana State Police includes polygraph exam in the background investigation phase of trooper applicant process.

Research on police polygraph screening shows interesting dynamics. A 1981 study found that applicants who scored highest on impression management scales were most likely to pass polygraph screening tests [16]Verified CPI Variables in Relation to the Polygraph Performance of Police Officer Candidates
Confirms applicants scoring highest on impression management scales were most likely to pass polygraph screening tests, suggesting the importance of well-trained examiners who can account for self-presentation factors. Those preparing for law enforcement polygraph exams benefit from understanding the process thoroughly.

For those interested in pursuing a career in polygraph examination, our guide to becoming a polygraph examiner provides comprehensive information on training and certification requirements.

State v. Catanese and Polygraph Admissibility

Understanding the Hamadeh case requires context about Louisiana's broader polygraph admissibility framework. The landmark 1979 Louisiana Supreme Court decision in State v. Catanese established the judicial policy of excluding polygraph evidence in criminal trials [13]Verified State v. Catanese (1979) — Louisiana Supreme Court
Confirms Louisiana's judicial policy excluding polygraph evidence in criminal trials while recognizing its high probative value under optimal conditions. The court recognized that polygraph evidence obtained under optimal conditions has "high probative value" and is "as reliable as other kinds of scientific evidence accepted routinely by courts" [13]Verified State v. Catanese (1979) — Louisiana Supreme Court
Confirms Louisiana's judicial policy excluding polygraph evidence in criminal trials while recognizing its high probative value under optimal conditions. However, it concluded that the risks — including the potential for fact-finders to give conclusive weight to polygraph expert opinions and the lack of regulatory safeguards at the time — outweighed the benefits for criminal trial use [13]Verified State v. Catanese (1979) — Louisiana Supreme Court
Confirms Louisiana's judicial policy excluding polygraph evidence in criminal trials while recognizing its high probative value under optimal conditions.

Importantly, the Catanese court stated that the reasons for excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials "do not necessarily prevent its use in all criminal proceedings" and acknowledged that "the polygraph technique has advanced to the point that it could be extremely valuable in criminal proceedings provided its admissibility is carefully limited" [13]Verified State v. Catanese (1979) — Louisiana Supreme Court
Confirms Louisiana's judicial policy excluding polygraph evidence in criminal trials while recognizing its high probative value under optimal conditions. This nuanced position left the door open for polygraph use in other contexts.

The 2002 Louisiana Supreme Court decision in Evans v. DeRidder built on this framework by allowing polygraph evidence in administrative proceedings, particularly civil service hearings involving police officers [9]Verified Evans v. DeRidder Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board (2002)
Confirms Louisiana Supreme Court ruling allowing polygraph evidence in administrative civil service proceedings. The court noted that in administrative hearings, hearing officers have discretion to admit evidence that would otherwise be inadmissible under the Louisiana Code of Evidence [9]Verified Evans v. DeRidder Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board (2002)
Confirms Louisiana Supreme Court ruling allowing polygraph evidence in administrative civil service proceedings. This ruling directly impacted cases like Hamadeh's, where polygraph results were relevant to civil service board proceedings.

Why Proper Polygraph Protocol Matters

The Hamadeh case offers invaluable lessons for law enforcement agencies considering the use of polygraph testing in internal affairs investigations. The case demonstrates that even when a polygraph exam produces useful results, procedural errors in its administration can completely undermine the department's ability to act on its findings.

Research consistently shows that human judgment alone is an unreliable method for detecting deception. Studies have found that both police officers and lay people endorse stereotypical but non-diagnostic nonverbal cues as deception indicators, with no significant professional advantage for trained officers [17]Verified Strong, but wrong: lay people's and police officers' beliefs about verbal and nonverbal cues to deception
Confirms both police officers and lay people endorsed stereotypical but non-diagnostic nonverbal cues as deception indicators. Similarly, all professional groups within the criminal justice system — including police officers, prosecutors, and judges — have been found to hold beliefs about deception detection that contradict scientific research [18]Verified How to Detect Deception? Arresting the Beliefs of Police Officers, Prosecutors and Judges
Confirms all three professional groups held beliefs about deception detection that contradicted scientific research. This body of evidence reinforces the value of polygraph testing as an objective, scientifically-based tool that can supplement, and often outperform, subjective assessments.

One study examining real-life high-stakes lies found that police officers performed no better than chance at detecting deception, and that accuracy was unrelated to confidence, age, or professional experience [19]Verified Who killed my relative? Police officers' ability to detect real-life high-stake lies
Confirms police officers performed no better than chance at detecting high-stakes lies, and accuracy was unrelated to confidence or experience. Another study confirmed that police officers failed to detect deception better than chance in both active interrogation and passive observation conditions [20]Verified Police Officers' Lie Detection Accuracy: Interrogating Freely Versus Observing Video
Confirms police officers failed to detect deception better than chance in both active interrogation and passive observation conditions. These findings underscore why properly administered polygraph examinations remain an essential tool in law enforcement investigations.

Recommendations for Louisiana Agencies

Based on the Hamadeh case and Louisiana's legal framework, law enforcement agencies should follow these key practices when using polygraph testing in internal affairs investigations:

First, develop clear written policies governing when and how polygraph examinations will be used in internal investigations. The BRPD's lack of a specific polygraph policy contributed to the ad hoc nature of the Hamadeh exam [1]Verified Lie detector test noted in Baton Rouge officer's appeal of firing was first of kind in years
Confirms the polygraph was BRPD's first IA polygraph in five years, since October 2012, and details the Hamadeh case background.

Second, ensure full compliance with Louisiana RS 40:2531 requirements, including the officer's right to counsel and complete recording of all interrogations [4]Verified Louisiana RS 40:2531 — Rights of Law Enforcement Officers While Under Investigation
Confirms the statutory requirements for officer interrogations: right to counsel, full recording, and absolute nullity provision. Agencies should work with legal counsel to develop protocols that satisfy both polygraph best practices and the Police Officer's Bill of Rights.

Third, use only licensed, experienced polygraph examiners trained to the standards of the Louisiana State Polygraph Board. Louisiana law requires all polygraph examiners to be board-certified, and examinations must use approved instrumentation [12]Verified Louisiana RS 37:2837 — Unauthorized practice of polygraph examination
Confirms it is unlawful for any person including government employees to administer a polygraph without Louisiana board certification.

Fourth, document all aspects of the polygraph process, from the initial decision to administer the test through the final report. Thorough documentation protects both the agency and the officer's rights.

Fifth, consider implementing a policy where the officer's attorney can observe the examination via live video feed from an adjacent room, potentially satisfying both the right-to-counsel requirement and the examiner-only room protocol. The Louisiana Polygraph Association can provide guidance on current best practices.

Agencies across the state — and nationwide — can benefit from the lessons of this case. Whether you are in Louisiana, Texas, or Florida, proper polygraph administration protocols are critical for maintaining the integrity of both the examination and any resulting disciplinary action.

Why Polygraph Remains Essential in Law Enforcement

The Hamadeh case is a powerful illustration of why polygraph testing remains an essential tool in law enforcement — not because the test itself was the problem, but because the failure to follow proper procedure undermined its use. When administered correctly by qualified examiners, polygraph testing provides objective physiological data that goes far beyond what human intuition can offer.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that without scientific tools like the polygraph, even experienced law enforcement professionals struggle to detect deception. Research by Vrij and Mann found that in high-stakes real-world scenarios, officers performed no better than chance at identifying lies [19]Verified Who killed my relative? Police officers' ability to detect real-life high-stake lies
Confirms police officers performed no better than chance at detecting high-stakes lies, and accuracy was unrelated to confidence or experience. A separate study on police officers' ability to detect deception in repeated tests confirmed this finding [21]Verified Police officers ability to detect deception in high stakes situations and in repeated lie detection tests
Foundational research relevant to police deception detection capabilities and the value of polygraph testing. Moreover, experienced interviewers showed greater confidence in their judgment without any corresponding improvement in accuracy [19]Verified Who killed my relative? Police officers' ability to detect real-life high-stake lies
Confirms police officers performed no better than chance at detecting high-stakes lies, and accuracy was unrelated to confidence or experience — a dangerous combination that can lead to wrongful assessments.

Studies on beliefs about deception reveal that both police officers and civilians tend to rely on nonverbal cues like gaze aversion and body movements that have no reliable relationship to actual deception [17]Verified Strong, but wrong: lay people's and police officers' beliefs about verbal and nonverbal cues to deception
Confirms both police officers and lay people endorsed stereotypical but non-diagnostic nonverbal cues as deception indicators[18]Verified How to Detect Deception? Arresting the Beliefs of Police Officers, Prosecutors and Judges
Confirms all three professional groups held beliefs about deception detection that contradicted scientific research[22]Verified Lay persons' and police officers' beliefs regarding deceptive behaviour
Confirms police officers and lay people held equally inaccurate beliefs about deceptive behavior indicators. These stereotypical beliefs persist even with professional training [23]Verified Calculating the Base Rate in Polygraph Populations and the Posterior Confidence in the Obtained Results in the Comparison Question Test
Foundational research relevant to polygraph methodology and base rate analysis in law enforcement populations, further reinforcing the value of objective polygraph measurement over subjective observation.

The polygraph's strength lies in its ability to measure involuntary physiological responses — cardiovascular activity, respiratory patterns, and galvanic skin response — that are difficult to consciously control. When combined with validated questioning techniques administered by properly trained examiners, polygraph testing provides a level of insight into truthfulness that no amount of observational skill can replicate.

To explore the latest peer-reviewed findings in polygraph science, visit our Polygraph Research Database. For those in Louisiana seeking a professionally administered polygraph exam, find a qualified examiner through our polygraph test locations page or book a polygraph test directly.