Polygraph Unit

In 2003, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department instituted a Polygraph Unit by enrolling two members at the Pennsylvania State Police/Harrisburg Area Community College Polygraph Institute at the Northeast Counter Drug Training Institute.

These members completed an intensive twelve-week course of instruction, followed by a mandatory internship before becoming fully certified.The Polygraph Unit, under the command of Captain Paul Lecomte, is staffed by two polygraphists who administer polygraph examinations to persons involved in criminal investigations. In addition, polygraph examinations are administered as part of pre-employment background investigations for police officer and civilian police staff applicants.

Polygraph examinations are administered to verify the truthfulness of information or to determine knowledge of a crime. The use of a polygraph examination in a criminal investigation dramatically reduces investigative time and cost. The detection of deceptive technique eliminates truthful persons from suspicion and quickly identifies deceptive persons.

The Polygraph Unit maintains a fully equipped examination room and office at police headquarters. The Polygraph Unit also provides its services to other police agencies throughout the Hudson Valley.