ABOLISHED 02/05/2015 PER PAY LETTER 15-09 - Polygraph Examiner Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established February 28, 1979

Scope

This series specification describes two classes used within the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Justice to assist local law enforcement agencies to interrogate suspects by the use of a deception-detection device, to interpret results of that device, to testify in court as an expert witness, to coordinate and supervise these activities, and to do other related work.

Definition of Series

Polygraph Examiners have considerable knowledge of criminal investigation work within law enforcement agencies and lie detection methods, principles, and techniques of deception-detection devices. Polygraph Examiners assist peace officers and various police agencies in complex and unusual investigations by interrogating individuals involved in criminal cases and determining, by means of a deception-detection device, the truth or falsehood of statements made. The Polygraph Examiner Supervisor is an expert in polygraph examination. The incumbent assigns, directs, and supervises the work of a group of Polygraph Examiners.

Entry Levels

Entry into this series is typically from law enforcement areas which provide experience in criminal investigation and interrogation with the use of deception-detection devices.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Allocation to classes in this series are limited to the Polygraph Section of the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Justice. Allocation factors include the complexity, scope, and difficulty of polygraph work; independence of action; degree of supervision exercised and received; and consequence of error.

Definition of Levels

Polygraph Examiner

This is the entry and full journey-level in the series. Incumbents independently travel throughout the State assisting local peace officers and various police agencies in complex and unusual investigations. They interrogate individuals involved in criminal cases and determine by means of a deception-detection device the truth or falsehood of statements made; analyze and interpret the record of the interrogation; take statements of admissions of guilt; confer with investigating officers and review crime reports; testify in court as an expert witnesses; assist local law enforcement officers in obtaining statements and evidence; prepare reports and dictate correspondence.

Polygraph Examiner Supervisor

This is the working supervisory level in the series. The incumbents assigns, directs, and supervises the work of a group of Polygraph Examiners involved in assisting local law enforcement agencies through interrogation of individuals involved in criminal cases by means of a deception-detection device. Typical duties include directing all statewide activities of the Polygraph Section of the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Justice; representing the Department of Justice to local law enforcement agencies as an expert in the field of polygraph examining; and performing the most difficult and sensitive polygraph examinations requiring court testimony.

Minimum Qualifications

Polygraph Examiner

Experience: Three years of experience in criminal investigation or investigative support services work, at least one year of which shall have involved the operation of a deception-detection device and the independent analysis and interpretation of results; and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for four years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Polygraph Examiner Supervisor

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing polygraph examination duties comparable in level of responsibility to those of a Polygraph Examiner.

Or II

Experience: Four years of experience in criminal investigation or investigative support services work, at least two years of which shall have involved the operation of a deception-detection device and the independent analysis and interpretation of results; and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for four years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Polygraph Examiner

Knowledge of: Lie detection methods and principles and techniques of deception-detection device operations; criminal investigation and interrogation techniques; laws of arrest and rules of evidence; human behavior patterns and psychological and physiological principles pertaining to the use of a deception-detection device.

Skill in: Formulating and phrasing questions and developing the interview situation so as to secure satisfactory psycho-physiological responses.

Ability to: Think quickly and reason logically and accurately; establish and maintain good working relationship with those contacted in the course of the work; prepare reports and correspondence.

Polygraph Examiner Supervisor

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the principles of supervision and personnel management.

Ability to: All of the above, and assign, direct, and supervise the work of a group of subordinates.

Special Personal Characteristics

Both Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State; demonstrated skill in the use of a deception-detection device in criminal investigation work; tact, patience, and keenness of observation.

Class History