Advanced Lie Detector Helps Solve Police Recruitment Crisis
The EyeDetect lie detection technology, with its ability to quickly screen and identify quality job applicants, was “the talk” of the recent Police Recruitment and Retention Summit in Las Vegas.
Converus CEO Todd Mickelsen surveys attendees at the Police Recruitment and Retention Summit regarding their current applicant screening method.
LAS VEGAS, NV – Aug. 8, 2023 – Even hotter than this city’s triple-digit summer temperatures was the topic of how to solve the current crisis in police recruitment. Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen took this topic head on in his presentation at the Police Recruitment and Retention Summit held Aug. 6-8 at the Horseshoe casino. He shed light on the potential for new, pre-screening tools that can revolutionize police recruitment by reducing the time and costs to identify and hire the most qualified job applicants.
Police staffing challenges in the U.S. are on the uptick. According to Police Executive Research Forum, from 2020 to 2022, 65% of police departments reported an increase in retirements and 66% reported an increase in resignations. One small town in Minnesota was recently blindsided when its entire police department quit — with zero applicants in the pipeline. The New York Police Dept. reported that 14,441 job applicants took the civil service exam in 2021 to become a police officer. In 2022, that number dropped to 6,489.
This recruiting problem hasn’t been confined to recent years. A 2019 International Association of Chiefs of Police membership survey found 78% of agencies reported difficulties in recruiting qualified candidates.
“With the continual rise in retirements and resignations, the police recruitment landscape is in crisis mode right now,” said Mickelsen. “Agencies face fierce competition vying for the best candidates within short time frames, often resulting in the loss of new hires to faster, more efficient departments.”
In a quick, informal survey of the room during Mickelsen’s presentation, approximately 65% indicated they use polygraphs to screen job candidates, 20% use a computer voice stress analyzer and 15% rely on personal interviews.
Converus’ booth stayed busy giving EyeDetect demonstrations to law enforcement officers during breaks at the recent Police Recruitment and Retention Summit in Las Vegas.
Mickelsen pointed out the challenges present in vetting candidates with these technologies. Inconsistencies and variances in examiner experience, temperament, and fatigue can affect test results. The limited availability of skilled examiners, particularly in remote areas — along with the limitation of conducting three to four tests daily — further hampers the process. For computer voice stress techniques, there is a lack of peer-reviewed research.
Mickelsen also shared how EyeDetect helps more than 80 U.S. law enforcement agencies gain a competitive recruiting advantage.
He explained EyeDetect is an automated, computer-based test that detects deception by analyzing involuntary eye behaviors, such as pupil dilation, blink rate and eye movements. Peer-reviewed research studies show EyeDetect is 86 to 88% accurate.
Tests take 15 to 30 minutes and personalized reports with test scores are ready within 5 minutes. Examiners are trained and certified in a few hours. Law enforcement agencies use EyeDetect to screen job applicants for issues that would disqualify them from being hired — such as serious crimes, drug use, terrorism, and other criminal or unethical behaviors. It’s also used to conduct criminal investigations.
“Screening applicants with EyeDetect early in the hiring process saves agencies invaluable time and resources,” said Mickelsen. “By identifying potential issues and discrepancies sooner, agencies allocate resources effectively and focus on candidates most likely to advance through the entire vetting process.”
Dan Watson, a reserve deputy sheriff for Utah’s Kane County Sheriff’s Office, joined Mickelsen during the presentation. He also owns Watson & Associates Truth Verification Consultants, an authorized Converus Service Partner based in Fredonia, Ariz.
“We’ve witnessed the positive impact of pre-screening using EyeDetect,” Watson said. “It not only streamlines the hiring process but also enhances the quality of candidates moving forward.”
Nearly 200 participants representing 80 law enforcement agencies attended this bi-annual event, with many now looking at using EyeDetect to accelerate their recruitment process — a process that’s currently lasting 4 to 12 months for almost half of the U.S. police departments.
For more information visit: converus.com
# # #
About Converus®
Converus provides scientifically validated credibility assessment technologies. VerifEye™ is the world’s first mobile app to help organizations or individuals accurately verify the truth about a person — including background, identity, creditworthiness and claims — in about 10 minutes. EyeDetect®, which detects deception by measuring involuntary eye behavior, is a fast, accurate, affordable, noncontact, scalable, and fully automated option to polygraph. EyeDetect+ is the world’s first automated polygraph, making the testing process impartial, accurate, and less intrusive (than a traditional polygraph). It assesses credibility by monitoring and recording ocular activity plus physiological activity similar to a traditional polygraph. Customers worldwide use the EyeDetect product line for screening and investigations to help protect countries, corporations and communities from corruption, crime and threats. Converus is headquartered in Lehi, Utah, USA. Visit: converus.com
_____________________________________________
Converus Press Contact: Jeff Pizzino, APR /+1 480-606-8292
