Title
State LECFTF Funding for Polygraph Purchase and Training (B)
This item requests that the City Commission appropriate and expend funds from the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Fund for the purchase of two polygraph instruments and the necessary training.
Explanation
Currently, the Gainesville Police Department has one computerized polygraph instrument that was purchased in 1996. The other polygraph instruments that we have in inventory are analog polygraph instruments and are no longer serviceable. With two polygraph examiners on staff and just one functioning polygraph instrument, it causes frequent scheduling conflicts as well as delays in criminal, internal and pre-employment exams. The polygraph instrument is used by the Criminal Investigations Bureau to verify the truthfulness of witnesses and suspects in criminal investigations. Likewise, the polygraph is used by the Internal Affairs Division to verify the truthfulness of complainants and witnesses during internal investigations. The Personnel Services Division utilizes the polygraph instrument during the conditional job offer phase to verify the truthfulness of information provided by our applicants during their background investigation. Polygraph also assists the agency in determining that the applicant has good moral character as specified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission in accordance with Florida State Statute 943.13.
A new computerized polygraph instrument has features that were not available when we purchased our current system in 1996. These features include the Piezo Electric Activity Sensor and the audio and video recording of the examination in sync with the polygraph exam. Both of these added features will assist the examiner in determining when a subject is employing countermeasures during a polygraph exam. In addition, having the sessions recorded on audio and video will aid the department in verifying admissions and/or confessions made by a suspect, witness, or applicant and protect the examiner and the City of Gainesville from false accusations of misconduct and potential civil liability. Our current system cannot be updated to add these features. As with most new technology, the new computerized polygraph instrument is a much more user-friendly program than the current system.
Also, during the Winter 2004 Florida Polygraph Seminar, it was stated that the American Polygraph Association (APA) will be mandating that all polygraphs require a motion sensor for every examination. At this time a target date for that requirement has not yet been established by the APA. Of note, the APA currently mandates that all polygraph examinations are recorded by video/audio, but, due to the age of our polygraph instrument, we are not in compliance with this standard.
The purchase of the equipment (2 new systems, 2 laptops, and 2 printers) will not exceed $13,500 and the required training for two new polygraphists will not exceed $16,800. The total expenditure will not exceed $30,300.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this expenditure are available in the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund, as allowed under FSS 932.7055(4)(a). The balance of the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund is $58,511.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the appropriation of an amount not to exceed $30,300 from the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund for the purchase of two polygraph systems and the appropriate training for two polygraphists.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission decline the appropriation and advise staff to continue to utilize the current polygraph systems. There is no fiscal impact.
Alternative Recommendation B: The City Commission decline the appropriation and direct staff to no longer utilize polygraphs for the purpose stated in the explanation. There is no fiscal impact.