Council reviews MOU to use Marysville polygraph services for investigations and hiring

Peter Barrett, speaking for the police department, introduced a memorandum of understanding with the City of Marysville to use their polygraph examination services.

Barrett said the department uses polygraph exams for two primary purposes: sensitive criminal investigations (assaults, homicides, other high-level cases) and employment screening when hiring law-enforcement officers. "Examinations are required for any time we're hiring a law enforcement officer. It's a WACC requirement," Barrett said, describing the examinations as an investigative resource and a hiring tool.

He said Marysville is an additional provider in the city's roster and can often provide polygraph services within a couple of days compared with a week or more for private providers. Barrett noted that Marysville has added new examiners and that the arrangement benefits both jurisdictions by providing capacity and training opportunities for examiners.

Barrett offered to answer questions; none were raised by councilmembers during the item.