Police ranks undergo polygraphs

Mar 01, 2009 News

Commissioner of Police Henry Greene has said that the move by the Administration to introduce polygraph testing in the force is welcomed.
Responding to the question recently by media operatives about the move, Greene said he believes it is a very sensible move.
He pointed out that in almost every Caribbean country polygraph testing is required before being employed, and now that it is being implemented in the force he has no problem with it.
Asked if he feels this would be a deterrent for persons desirous of joining the Police Force, Greene said no.
“Already as it is, persons have many other reasons why they wouldn’t want to join the force, so to say this would be a deterrent is not really accurate,” Greene added.
He further explained that the force has not yet met with the administration to discuss at what point and for whom the polygraph test would be required, but the move is very much welcomed.
When asked what this would mean for senior officers who would have served the force for several years, Greene maintained that the initiative is welcomed.
Meanwhile in the past several other employees of various organisations have been subjected to polygraph testing.
Among those were the employees of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). When it was found that several of the employees failed the test they were sent home.
The then head of CANU Orville Nedd and some eight other employees were sent packing.
It has since been reported that polygraph testing has already begun in the police force, and has been going on for the past three days.
Members of the Guyana Revenue Authority have already been notified that they are to undergo the tests. They were supposed to attend a briefing session at Office of the President yesterday. However, that briefing session was postponed.