City Services

Public Safety: Polygraph Unit

"Lie detector" is the popular, but misleading name for the polygraph instrument. In Greek, polygraph means "many writing". The instrument was so named due to the fact that it makes various recordings of a persons body functions.

The polygraph instrument could be more accurately described as a "truth verifier". Statistics show that, in the vast majority of instances, the instrument verifies an innocent person’s truthfulness.

There are many misconceptions about the use of the polygraph. For example, it is widely assumed that it is wrapped in secrecy, and its success depends on keeping it a secret. This is not so. There are not, and never should be, any secrets in either the operation of the polygraph or the reason for the examination.

The Bangor Police Department Polygraph Unit currently has two officers assigned as polygraphists. The polygraph operators initially attend an intense 2 month school which involves extensive training in the use of the polygraph, as well as training in psychology and physiology. After the initial training is completed, the operators are required to be certified by the State of Maine as polygraph examiners. They are required to attend additional training and to conduct a minimum number of tests per year in order to remain certified. The Polygraph Unit currently employs the use of both analog and thermal polygraph instruments.

The Bangor Police Departments Polygraph Unit engages in both the application of pre-employment examinations for law enforcement agencies and criminal investigation examinations.

Please direct any polygraph questions to:

Sergeant Catherine Rumsey
240 Main Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 947-7382 Ext. 231