Sheriff’s Office Improves Hiring Process Efficiency, Reduces Costs with New Screening Technology
By adding the automated EyeDetect test as part of the job applicant screening process, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in NM had a net savings of $5,400 during its last hiring cycle.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office says the EyeDetect lie detection technology has made its hiring process more efficient.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Feb. 22, 2022 – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, with nearly 300 sworn officers, joins more than 60 other U.S. law enforcement agencies in implementing EyeDetect as part of its hiring process. EyeDetect by Converus is a lie detection technology that measures involuntary eye behavior to detect deception during an automated test. It’s used by this agency to screen potential new hires for their participation in specific target behaviors.
According to Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Weylin Proctor, all law enforcement applicants previously had to successfully pass through a series of pre-employment vetting steps. This included providing pre-employment and integrity questionnaires, personal history, written exams, physical agility test, background investigation, oral interview, psychological and medical examinations, and a polygraph.
Unlike polygraph, EyeDetect tests do not require cables or sensors to be attached to the examinee. And, there is no examiner asking questions. Instead, the job applicant sits in front of a computerized test and answers a series of questions for 15-30 minutes. Results are available in less than five minutes. Depending on the type of test, EyeDetect is 86-91% accurate.
The average cost for Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office personnel to conduct one background investigation (which takes approximately 40 hours) is $1,061. To meet time constraints, polygraph exams were administered on weekends or evenings.
“Not only is EyeDetect paying for itself in time and cost savings, but it also makes our background screening process more effective and efficient,” said Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Weylin Proctor.
After learning how EyeDetect can improve the hiring process, this county sheriff’s office purchased the technology in 2021 and revised its hiring process by testing all job applicants with EyeDetect first. If applicants pass, they proceed to a background investigation. Those that fail are polygraphed. If they pass the polygraph, then they proceed to a background investigation. But if they fail the polygraph, they are disqualified from the process.
From July to December 2021, 46 people applied to enter the academy. Eleven applicants were disqualified by either EyeDetect or polygraph and didn’t continue to a background investigation. By eliminating background investigations, the cost savings was over $11,600. After paying for examiners’ time and for EyeDetect tests, there was a net savings of about $5,400, said Proctor.
Proctor added that examiners now make better hiring decisions with EyeDetect test data. The agency also reports EyeDetect tests help obtain confessions from applicants hiding inappropriate behavior.
“Law enforcement agencies use EyeDetect to screen job applicants for issues that would disqualify them from working for the organization — such as serious crimes, drug use, terrorism and other criminal or unethical behaviors,” said Converus CEO Todd Mickelsen. “Our goal is to help law enforcement agencies put better people in uniform in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.”
For more information about Converus, visit: converus.com
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About Converus®
Converus provides scientifically validated credibility assessment technologies. 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
