To reform the police, recruits ‘should take lie detector test’

Paul Ibirogba, chief executive officer of Hogan Guards Security, has recommended the use of polygraph better known as lie detector, during the recruitment of security operatives, especially the police.

Speaking at the inauguration of Hogan Polygraph and Investigations Limited, on Tuesday, Ibirogba said the device has become an entrenched tool in advanced countries to enhance criminal investigations procedures and for recruitment into armed forces.

Ibirogba said the theory, which has been validated all over the world, rests on the belief that when people lie intentionally, they exhibit certain predictable physiological characteristics.

“Polygraph or a lie detector test is used to measure and record several physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration and skin conductivity while a person answers a series of questions he is asked under controlled conditions,” Ibirogba said.

“The system runs on the theory that deceptive answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non-deceptive answers.”

“Nigeria’s judicial process is long and winding, and often leads to frustration when the end result of determining the truth becomes opaque.

“The reason some criminal investigations and court processes take years and even decades is because of the search for truth or evidence.

“The police, judicial officers and private investigators as well as every organization can use polygraph lie detector.

“Even the police and other security forces can begin their much anticipated reforms on taking every recruit through the lie detector to ensure that bad eggs and those with criminal background are weeded out from the outset.”