Omaha Police Department Polygraph Examinations Policy PDF

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS - SUSPECTS POLICY It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) that all requests for polygraph examinations shall be submitted to the Operations Unit of the Criminal Investigations Bureau. PROCEDURE: I. Polygraph Examination Request A. Copies of th...

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS - SUSPECTS POLICY It is the policy of the Omaha Police Department (OPD) that all requests for polygraph examinations shall be submitted to the Operations Unit of the Criminal Investigations Bureau. PROCEDURE: I. Polygraph Examination Request A. Copies of the following listed reports must be submitted to the polygraph examiner via the Operations Unit twenty-four (24) hours prior to the examination. Exceptions may be made in emergency situations. 1. Incident reports of the offense. 2. Investigators report(s) to date. 3. Background information of the subject to be examined. 4. Any statements or denials made by the subject. If possible, the investigating officer should be available for consultation with the polygraph examiner. II. Reports A. Reports required by officers who request polygraph examination: 1. OPD Form 69A (Request for Polygraph Examination - Criminal) shall be used by investigators who need to request the services of an OPD polygraph examiner. This form is designed to eliminate any confusion as to what the investigator requires the polygraph examiner to attempt to accomplish. 2. The investigator shall complete the required section of OPD Form 69A and will check the polygraph examiner's schedule. a. Upon selecting a date for examination, the request shall be left in the polygraph examiner's work box. b. Upon completion of the assignment, the polygraph examiner will forward the completed report to the OPD Data Unit for filing and/or distribution per current policies and procedures related to OPD Supplementary Reports. B. During and after a polygraph examination, OPD Form 69C (Polygraph Examination Form) shall be completed by an OPD Certified Polygraph Examiner. NOTE: Only OPD Certified Polygraph Examiners are authorized to complete OPD Form 69C in conjunction with polygraph examinations. III. Subject’s Condition A. The physical and mental condition of the subject prior to the examination should be as nearly normal as possible. The polygraph examiner will determine the suitability of the subject to undergo a polygraph examination. B. The polygraph examiner will consider the following factors: 1  1. The subject should have a normal amount of food and sleep twenty-four (24) hours prior to the examination. 2. The subject should not have had any recent major surgery; usually the body requires at least six (6) months to fully recover. 3. The subject should not display or be suspected to have any emotional instability as a result of involvement in a violent incident. Seventy-two (72) hours should elapse before a polygraph is given to an emotionally upset person. IV. Polygraph Exclusions A. Polygraph examinations shall not be given to the following. 1. Persons with a low mentality, the insane, or the seriously mentally deranged. 2. Pregnant women. Pregnant women shall not be tested unless written consent from a doctor has been provided to the examiner prior to test date. 3. A person under the influence of alcohol, sedatives, opiates, or who is experiencing physical pain, a severe cold, or a respiratory disorder. 4. Minors under the age of fourteen (14). REFERENCES I. Previous OPD Orders A. Previous General Orders: #21-78, 57-86, 61-86, 79-87, and 72-16. II. Accreditation Standards A. Relevant CALEA Accreditation Standards: 32.2.4, 32.2.5, 32.2.6, 42.2.6, and 52.2.6. III. Other A. PPM Monthly Updates: #08-2021, 04-2023, and 03-2024. 2