By Heppilena Ferguson
Preliminary results show that some Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) employees have failed their polygraph tests and government is adamant that it will terminate their services, saying it is prepared for any ensuing legal battle.
This announcement came from President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday during queries from the media on the issue following assertions by him last week that all staff were being subjected to the tests.
Jagdeo disclosed that preliminary results showed that “quite a few” of the staff failed the tests and noted too that he was scheduled to receive written assessments on the tests which would show exactly how serious the failures were in each case. In this vein he was asked whether government was still holding to its decision to fire those who failed the test and he replied, ”Yes, the answer is yes.”
There have been many concerns raised regarding the tests and whether their results were a solid enough basis for persons to lose their jobs. However in defence of this move by government, Jagdeo said polygraphing is a standard and developed technology which is being used a lot in law enforcement agencies in many countries to verify the accuracy and truthfulness of what their employees say. He indicated that the method would now be used more frequently in the critical agencies dealing with drugs and crime and it may be extended to other state agencies.
“I think the big thing is (it is) a deterrent. It will be a strong deterrent because if the officers know that they will be routinely tested then it may help with them not getting into unsavory activities,” he asserted.
He said he was convinced that the polygraph test is a useful tool.
Routine
polygraphing
Staff recruitment for CANU will now include success at the polygraph test.
However Jagdeo said the tests may not be done immediately but the recruitment would be done based on an understanding they would have to face polygraphing sometime soon while the officers who remain will know that they have to be subjected to routine polygraphing.
Asked also whether Government was prepared for any legal action that may come its way following any dismissals, Jagdeo asserted a sure “yes” and pointed out that most of CANU’s employees were contractual employees and so Government reserved the right to terminate their service at any time, “even without the polygraph.”
Jagdeo revealed that Guyana has its own polygraph equipment and plans to have persons trained in the future to use it. He acknowledged however that this would take some time and this was why Government brought a specialist to conduct the CANU tests.
“Because it’s not just anyone could do a polygraph – there are physiological changes … sometimes it’s the instinct of doing many polygraphs because we don’t want to disadvantage people who may be just scared or may make a minor error of transgression and they are penalized unfairly, we need experienced people,” he explained.
Demoralized
Even as the government seems to be moving ahead full force with its decision to sack those who fail the tests, this newspaper has been reliably informed that staff of the Unit are puzzled and some believe that the president’s assertions may have made the unit vulnerable.
A source close to the unit told Stabroek News that after learning that their failure could result in the loss of their jobs some staff members have even reported sick because the assertion has left them traumatized.
This newspaper was also reliably informed that staff are upset that based on the tests alone their services would be terminated and felt that a more understanding approach should have been taken.
“They could have called staff and informed them that some of them have failed the test, and so from that basis they would be allowed to continue working but be kept under surveillance.
This is once the issue is to really ensure the integrity of those persons working there,” the source told this newspaper.
The source said staff members have been demoralized and are basically waiting to see “where the buck will fall.”
This newspaper was informed too that staff members were asked some personal questions in the initial stage of the tests.
Later they were asked questions for which the answers would substantiate whether they had ever taken money from drug dealers and also whether they ever facilitated or participated in facilitating the operations of drug dealers.
This newspaper was also told that some staff members were also asked about whether they have participated in activities which would interfere with the smooth running of government.
Reports reaching Stabroek News also indicate that there is some level of skepticism regarding ranks going out to conduct raids and a decision may soon to be made for only routine operations.
Earlier this week, this newspaper attempted to solicit a response from Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee as to whether the tests would be the sole basis upon which the CANU officers could be fired. Rohee in response said he had noticed many letter writers commenting on the tests.
According to him, the commentators are ‘not qualified‘ to comment. He further stated that the individual who conducted the tests is “the number two man” from the American Polygraphers Association (APA) and added that results from such tests are internationally accepted.
This newspaper has since learnt that the official from the APA who conducted the tests is a US-based Venezuelan working with the company.
