BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CONSIDERATION is not only being given to administering polygraph tests to recruits of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, but also to those of the other security agencies within the Federation.
Weeks ago at the press conference of the Police Force’s High Command, Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley informed that because the Force has suffered through integrity issues, the recruitment process would be more rigorous, to include polygraph testing.
“We have decided that there is the need – because of integrity issues that we are uncovering on a frequent basis - to go that step further and have the polygraph testing done. We have in…our Police Force four trained polygraphers, three of whom recently returned from the advanced training maybe about two weeks ago. And so we have decided, going forward, that’s the way to go. And I can say very shortly…we would be introducing the psychological assessment to determine suitability.”
Yesterday (Mar. 9) at his press conference, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris made it clear that not only would the Police recruits be subject to such testing but those of all other agencies which fall under the National Security umbrella.
“It is being contemplated that polygraph tests will be administered going forward to all recruits, I repeat, all recruits in our law-enforcement agencies: the Police, Immigration, Prison, Customs and Excise and the Defence Force.
“This enhanced vetting will allow for better quality personnel into law enforcement and better information and action regarding the vulnerabilities of these persons who are being recruited.”
The National Security Minister informed that according to information he gleaned from Commissioner Queeley, training for a batch of recruits should begin later this month.
It is possible then, that these recruits could be the first to have the polygraph tests administered.
