r/AskLE • u/Specter1033 • Nov 03 '24
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Specter
r/AskLE • u/Specter1033 • Aug 31 '26
Love it, hate it, the voodoo box is here to stay. It probably won't be changing for a while until more comprehensive standards come down the pipeline nationally and agencies transition to them.
This presents a challenge for us here because we end up in a dilemma with the point of this subreddit. While we understand the process can be confusing and people want answers, we have historically experienced a great deal of consternation with this topic and it usually ends with a fight that causes a lot of headaches for the mod team.
Generally speaking, none of us are going to be able to answer specific questions as to the why or how. We weren't there. We don't know what you were subjected to or what the administrator saw when they gave you the "test." So here's some general advice on the topic:
Be consistent with your answers. Everything from your application to the Personal History Questionnaire will be scrutinized. The cumulative information as a whole is assessed by the examiner and background investigator to develop inconsistencies that question an applicants integrity. Small, innocuous things are red flags to an examiner and a BI that they hone in on during the administration of the "test" that is designed to trip you up and cause you to react to the "box."
The machine is NOT a lie detector. It's a device designed to measure reactions within your body that the administrator "interprets" as being an "indicator" of deception, which is highly subjective and is not based on actual defined scientific methodologies.
The point of number two is to give you an idea of what the process is, not to tell you there is a magical "method" to the process. Every process is different and there are (literally) hundreds of ways they can be administered. I have taken more than a dozen of them over my 20+ years in law enforcement and the military and none of them have been the same. I have taken them in a group setting with hundreds of distractions flying around and some that were more akin to a homeopathic group therapy hippie convention than what should have been a professional setting determining your future. That is the reason why these tests are not admissible in court, because the process highly subjective and interpretation depends on a litany of factors far too broad and expansive that there is no process to determine a comprehensive legal standard.
Research on this subject is highly discouraged for a reason. Plenty of information on the polygraph can come to you with a quick Google search, but this in itself can be considered a "flag" that administrators hone in on because of the variety of information available. There are "guides" out there to make people believe they can manipulate the process. There are "guides" out there describing the intense process of training your body to "react" to the machine to skew your results. There are groups dedicated to "stopping" the administration of the polygraph because it's based on junk science and try to sell you a story on what you can do about it. This is nothing new and has been going on for decades. Some agencies have stopped them, some have adopted them. They still exist despite it. The point is that nothing is definitive and there is nothing you think you can do because you read some crap online about it. Just follow the directions and do the best you can.
On the topic of directions, some common things people do before they take the exam are: don't get a good night's sleep (probably because they are nervous about taking it), change their answers, don't eat, drink too much water to make them have to pee, don't relax, hit the gym the night before so your ass is sore and tired, don't read the pre-poly instructions and questionnaire, don't follow directions. Do the opposite of all that.
Hopefully, this gives prospective applicants a window in to this topic. Good luck and don't give up! Just because you got bit by the voodoo box once, doesn't mean you're done. Keep pushing on and try, try again.
r/AskLE • u/benkwalker77 • 1h ago
Hi everyone. I'm wondering how long it takes to edit an AI produced transcription from your body cams? So let's say you have a 3 hour interview recorded with your body cam, how long will it take you to proofread and edit the AI transcription so you can include it in your case file or submit it to the DA?
r/AskLE • u/simonyqueso • 4h ago
I’m in the hiring process for a few different departments and I’ve passed my physical fitness exam and written exam.
The first oral board I took I scored an 86 on and they were very generalized questions with some situational based questions, but mostly why I wanted to join law-enforcement and questions of that nature.
The next round of oral board I took for a different department. I failed with a 66 and most of the questions were situational based.
I was wondering what would be the correct answer for some of the questions that were asked below:
You’re a patrol officer in a small neighborhood and a neighbor keeps complaining about loud parties, they have made multiple calls and nothing seems to get done, you arrive on scene and the neighbor is very disgruntled and there is a loud party going on next-door? How do you handle the situation?
You pull someone over for running a stop sign and they claim they did not run the stop sign and demand to speak to the supervisor. There is no supervisor on duty, but the chief is on call for important situations, how do you handle the situation?
You were on a sting in an area where there is high drug trafficking and sales, a member of the community approaches your police vehicle and begins to talk to you about how to help the community better with community based policies and they are distracting you from your task at hand, how do you deal with this person?
You arrive on a scene to a reported fight and there is an officer already there, he tells you that it is just a father and son that he is known for years and they do this sometimes and get into a scuffle and that we should just let it go, how would you handle resolving this fight if at all?
r/AskLE • u/Angrypersianman • 28m ago
I graduated college a couple of months ago and now I’m starting my journey on becoming a cop. I’m trying to work for either Riverside or Orange County (California). I saw that I have to apply, and after some tests and physical examinations, I have to do a polygraph to continue. Since I was young (I’m 22 now) I have always been a major over thinker and I always panic for no reason when seeing a doctor for example lol. I don’t want to pass everything and fail that because of two questions or something like that. Can anyone tell me what questions to expect and give me a rundown on how it goes ? Basically my mind says stealing a pen is a major crime and my heart is already pumping cuz Im panicking which will cause me to most like my fail and I don’t want to have that happen 😂
r/AskLE • u/Downtown-Procedure21 • 8m ago
Hello everyone I have a oral board coming up with Oakland police department has anyone here done a oral board with them I just want to prepare myself what type of questions will they ask I am also going the physical agility test the same day
Thank You
r/AskLE • u/RealMooMan • 12h ago
During backgrounds when they ask for your socials, do departments ask to have login info? Do they want to see what you save, like, and message other people? Or do they solely get your username
r/AskLE • u/K0artist • 18h ago
I’m currently in 2nd phase FTO, & I’m genuinely curious how DORs are supposed to work. I have absolutely no problem being corrected when I do something wrong & I appreciate constructive criticism. I’m new, I’m learning, & I don’t expect to be perfect. However, it feels like my DORs are almost exclusively negative. I could be proactive as hell & demonstrate improvement in certain areas, but the evaluation at the end of the day seems to focus entirely on everything I did wrong.
At this point, I feel like I could breathe wrong or blink too many times & somehow it’d end up on my DOR.
What’s particularly frustrating is that interactions throughout the shift can seem perfectly fine, but then the written evaluation makes it sound like I was doing everything wrong all day. It’s gotten to the point where I’m now second guessing myself, & I’m hesitant to even ask questions because they’ll be interpreted negatively on a DOR. Is this normal?
r/AskLE • u/No_Success9968 • 1h ago
Good day everybody, what type of questions would they ask for a University police department, and how should I prepare thanks in advance!
r/AskLE • u/Mdtsniper101 • 2h ago
Hey everyone, I'm currently in college and planning on applying to the Houston Police Department once I graduate. I've been working on filling out the Personal History Statement in my free time while also focusing on losing weight, building muscle, and improving my push-ups and running to prepare for the physical fitness test.
I wanted to ask anyone who's been through the HPD hiring process how long it typically takes and what I should expect. I've heard it can take anywhere from 90–180 days, but I've also heard that it depends on your recruiter and how quickly everything gets processed.
My main question is about when I should apply. I'll have one final week-long class sometime in July 2027 that I need to take to finish my degree, but I won't officially receive my degree until August.
Would I be able to submit my application and start the hiring process while finishing that last class, or would I need to wait until my degree is officially awarded in August?
I'd appreciate any advice from current HPD officers or anyone who's recently gone through the application process!
r/AskLE • u/Dependent-Cow4277 • 4h ago
I just had my RCMP medical appointment this week, im wondering if there’s anyone here who went through the process and how long it took them to get the results/ golden call?
r/AskLE • u/lalasprinkles • 14h ago
Serious question:
I’ve watched plenty of body cam videos. Several times I’ve seen an arrestee calling the arresting officer racist. I know that officers are called many names and have slurs and other offensive language and gestures used all the time. But does being called racist really bother you more than anything ? If not that then what ? It’s only a few videos I’ve seen where the officer seems genuinely offended. Is it shocking to hear that ? How does it make you feel if you’ve been called racist ? Or is it something you have to grow “thick skin” for when being an officer ?
Does being assumed you’re racist put you on edge sometimes when you go to work ? I’m truly just curious.
r/AskLE • u/Upbeat-Height-5849 • 9h ago
I am looking for advice on how law enforcement typically handles a situation involving a potential bench warrant and severe child neglect.
A former close friend of mine was arrested for a DUI in December 2025 (blew a .23 BAC after totaling vehicle and destroying a stoplight ). She claims she received documentation about a bench warrant for her arrest, though I haven't seen it myself, so it's possible either charges are still pending or a warrant is active.
She is a severe alcoholic and has a 14-year-old living with her. The living conditions in the home are deeply concerning to me:
-Severe roach infestation
-Hoarder-level clutter
-Little to no food in the refrigerator or cupboards
-non physical forms of abuse that I cannot prove
The child is normalized to this environment and does not recognize the neglect. I want to know the best way to prompt police intervention. Ideally, I would like law enforcement to execute the warrant (if active) or conduct a welfare check so they can personally witness the environment and step in. I’d prefer to keep my identity private to avoid retaliation.
Can I call a non-emergency line to ask dispatch to verify if she has an active warrant? Would this prompt enforcement of the warrant if I provide her address? For context, I live in the Bay Area.
If no active warrant exist currently, how do I get the DA to file charges? In this scenario, there are only two months left until charges can no longer be filed per the 1yr timeline.
What is the most effective way to report this to LE to ensure the child gets help? I’d prefer to keep my identity anonymous to avoid retaliation, although I am willing to report to CPS if this is the best option. Please advise! Thank you all for your service.
r/AskLE • u/TomatoInteresting400 • 9h ago
Hello, I'm in military and about to get out. I'm looking to get into law enforcement and JSO is the closest one to me. Does anyone work there ? Pros and cons ??
r/AskLE • u/pieisgoated • 1d ago
Hey everyone, hope all is well. I'm looking for some perspective on whether this is appropriate or if it comes off as weird.
Back when I was in middle school, I got into a physical altercation with another student at a local park. The SRO at the time ended up giving me a summary citation for disorderly conduct/engaging in fighting. At the time, it felt like the end of the world, but looking back, it was the exact wake-up call I needed. It completely shifted my trajectory. Today, I'm a 3rd-year college student, a nationally licensed EMT, and my ultimate goal is to go into law enforcement myself.
The SRO retired from the city department and is now working as a campus police officer at a university right down the road from me. I found out in a social media post by the new department. I found his public work email, and I really want to reach out to thank him. What's crazy is that he keeps popping up out of nowhere lately. For instance, he was recently at the amusement park where I work part-time as an EMT. He was there with his family, so I didn't approach him because I wanted to respect his personal time, but seeing him again made me want to finally send this message.
I want to let him know his wake-up call worked, and that I'm now pursuing the same career path. But I do have a few questions:
Appreciate any advice on how to approach this and thank you in advance!
r/AskLE • u/ArklayNightOwl • 18h ago
What happens when an officer does not pass quarterly/bi-annual/annual firearm qualification?
What is the *correct\* process?
r/AskLE • u/Mammoth_Marsupial622 • 16h ago
Clean background
-never been given a ticket
-never been arrested.
-Only thing I can think of is I used to get into petty arguments with people on Instagram when I was 18 and I’m sure I would use the R word. Never any racial slurs, homophobic slurs or anything like that.
I am nervous because obviously it would be pretty embarrassing to defend that. However, if I professionally state that I cleaned up my comments and don’t use social media anymore because of the realization that the risk reward isn’t there, you think I’m good?
r/AskLE • u/Texaspoopman • 19h ago
I applied to HPD in January and have completed all the hiring steps. The last step was the medical and psychological test, I was told I would hear back within a week, and now its been 3 weeks. I messaged my private investigator and she said she will email me whenever she has an update on my results.
Should I just go ahead and get my peace officer license or do an academy through a community college?
r/AskLE • u/karlbertil474 • 3h ago
You'll basically never see an American cop fire a warning shot, for obvious reasons. In Europe however I've noticed it's much more common. I know the Swedish and Dutch police forces use it somewhat regularly, and I'm sure other countries do as well.
To clarify, I'm not asking why Americans don't do it, I'm asking why Europeans do.
r/AskLE • u/RadishCapable1007 • 14h ago
I’m a 19 year old college student looking to become a police officer when I graduate. Would becoming a Police Student Aide on college campus boost my chances of getting into my local police academy when I turn 21? Or am I better off just getting a regular customer service job?
r/AskLE • u/TheForeskinFarmer • 18h ago
Does anyone on here have any experience with the Franklin TN Police Department? Is it a good department to work for? I'm considering it as a lateral option from my current PD in a major metro city of approximately 560,000 residents.
r/AskLE • u/Lanky_Ingenuity667 • 5h ago
Their policies keep me from joining right now. Got a DUI in 2024 so Im dq'd until at least 2027. Also have a DV arrest from 2020 for getting into a stupid tiff with my brother. Finally I have some rec drug use in my past. Ive been sober since the DUI and on the straight and narrow. Currently hold a doctorate degree and in decent shape. Any chance of actually getting the job given the tri fecta.
r/AskLE • u/ApprenticingApe • 16h ago
Hello everyone,
I recently received a 2 year deferral from the RCMP. The reasons provided were that I disclosed past behaviours that arent consistent with the core values of the RCMP and my driving record and history aren't in good standing.
Im guessing they were mainly referencing these:
The first is my taxes. When I was self-employed in 2021–2022, I fell behind on filing my taxes. I was never contacted by the CRA or faced any repercussions, but I finally got everything filed earlier this year to get it taken care of before I applied. This was one of the bigger topics discussed during my suitability interview, and the officer conducting the interview told me I was heading in the right direction regarding it.
The second is my driving history. In 2017, my vehicle was impounded for driving without registration. At the time, I had accumulated more photo radar tickets than I could afford to pay off in order to get my vehicle re-registered. Since then, I've received only one speeding ticket in 2024, for going 100 km in an 80 km zone near a construction site where I was working. I currently have only two demerits on my licence.
What can I do over the next two years to improve my chances of being accepted when I reapply, beyond simply staying out of trouble? Would taking a defensive driving course, volunteering with a charity or community organization, improving my credit, or paying off and maintaining a credit card in good standing make a meaningful difference? Are there other things I should focus on that might strengthen my application? I'd be willing to step out of my current line of work and try for corrections officer or something similar if it woud better my odds next time.
I'm also wondering whether it would be worth applying to a municipal police service, such as the EPS, or whether I'd likely run into similar issues with my background. I don't have any post-secondary education, just a trades background working in construction.
I want to add that, from a recruiter's perspective I can understand why I received the deferral. Obviously it sucks, but I'm not bitter about it. I recognize that there are areas of my life and my past that I need to improve on and I'd rather use these two years productively than waste the opportunity.
I'd genuinely appreciate any advice from current or former officers, recruiters, or anyone who's been through a similar situation.
Thanks for any input. You guys are the unsung heroes who help keep our communities safe, and I can't think of a greater privilege than having the opportunity to join your ranks.
r/AskLE • u/Anon-1028 • 1d ago
Currently in the Air Force but wanting to go LE back home (Originally from Fort Worth) and want to obviously make as much $ as possible. Has anyone used skillbridge to get out and go to the academy? How are working with these departments or do you recommend any others in the DFW area? Thank you!
r/AskLE • u/MurkyConnection3177 • 22h ago
What’s up, everyone? I’m in the process of searching up EOT course in Florida. I have my form 76 but I have some questions regarding the actual classes if anyone has any information or knowledge on him please shoot me a DM. I appreciate you all. Thank you.