Parliament okays making polygraph test optional for new police recruits
When the government proposed the amendment, the section that said "should be done" was changed to "can be done".
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By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Parliament on Monday passed an amendment to the Police Services Act to make polygraph testing optional for new police recruits, but maintained rest of the requirements for completing a background mandatory.
Several lawmakers expressed concern over the initial draft of the bill, which was introduced by MDP parliamentary group (PG) leader and Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam on behalf of the government. The members expressed concern over the amendment to Section 17 of the act, which shows that what needs to be done for background checking is arbitrary.
Section 17 of the Police Service Act:
Before appointing any employee to any police service job, their background has to be checked as per the regulations framed under the act. The requirements to be fulfilled for background checks include:
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Conducting a background analysis
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Getting polygraph test done
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Quality checks and background checks through any other method prescribed in the regulations made under the act
When the government proposed the amendment, the phrase that said "shall be done" was changed to "can be done".
After the preliminary debate, the bill was examined by the parliamentary committee on security services. Regarding the proposed amendment to make all requirements for background checks options, the Attorney General's Office said:
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This is not an amendment to hinder for police personnel to get a background check done under any circumstances
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The purpose of the amendment is to amend the requirement of polygraphing in the specific cases mandated by the article, which requires that the background check mandated by the article be completed and that it should be used in a particular situation
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The amendment was moved as the law mandating a polygraph test of police aspirants could be difficult to implement, as it may not be applicable to any situation
In consultation with the AG's office, the committee decided to add a section to the bottom of the clause to make it only discretionary to conduct the polygraph test, which is one of the things that need to be done for background checking. The added section says:
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A background analysis can be followed by further analysis by polygraph or any other means.
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Regulations specify the procedures to be followed in the completion of the requirements and additional resources that can be used to meet them.
While changes have been made to the amendment on background checking, there has been no change in the proposed amendment to extend the deadline given to the investigating police to obtain a certificate mandated by law to be completed. Once the committee report is passed without making any amendments, it will be allowed to achieve the title by March- end.
Forty-three lawmakers voted to approve the report prepared by the committee on security services.
