Finance committee approves polygraph services contract for municipal internal investigations

The Finance and Law Committee on Jan. 8 advanced a resolution authorizing an open-end professional services agreement with Assured Polygraph Services Inc. for polygraph testing services at an amount not to exceed $25,000 annually for a three-year term.

The contract is structured as an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) to allow the Office of Municipal Investigations (OMI) to call on vendors for internal investigations, not for police candidate screening, Josh Wilamondi, senior sourcing specialist in the Office of Management and Budget, told the committee: "This is actually not for police at all... this is primarily Office of Municipal Investigations." Wilamondi said the city expects to add more firms to the pool over time to broaden sourcing options.

Council members raised concerns about polygraph accuracy and workplace impacts. Council member Warwick said she was uncomfortable with the tests’ reliability and the possible demoralizing effect on employees: "I am probably gonna abstain on this one just because..." Another member noted federal rules of evidence generally exclude polygraph results from federal court. The committee nonetheless moved the resolution forward; the vote was recorded as an affirmative recommendation with three members saying "aye" and one recorded vote of "no." The motion to approve and a second were made on the record; the transcript does not identify the members who made or seconded the motion.

The contract was described as a starting ITQ for OMI to ensure vendors are available for upcoming investigations. Wilamondi said the polygraph tests used for these investigations differ from those used for public safety candidates and require licensed examiners.

What happens next: the committee gave an affirmative recommendation; the item will move to the full council for final consideration as part of the legislative process.