Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Although this is probably better told in person, as are most polygraph journeys and experiences… the short story is I had never given thoughts of polygraph a second of my time until I underwent my first polygraph when applying for a police officer position. Filling out the polygraph questionnaire I realized very quickly that I was required to document and talk about every act of my life that we all want to keep a secret… immature behavior, lying, acting out, immoral acts, and illegal behavior throughout my entire lifetime. The polygraph process was very intimidating and made me feel extremely vulnerable. However, I wanted the job more than I wanted to hide my own self labelled “bad behavior” and I completed that polygraph process and “passed the polygraph”.
I then underwent other polygraphs throughout my criminal justice career, all with the same “passed” results, but also the same feelings of being vulnerable. After jobs including being a United States Marine, Correctional Officer, Police Officer, and Federal Agent, I landed a job as a Probation & Parole Officer. While in this position, I was part of a specialty unit that supervised Convicted Sex Offenders. As part of their probation conditions, these individuals also were referred to special sex offender treatment and underwent polygraph examinations periodically to verify their compliance with the court orders, probation conditions and treatment requirements.
Supervising hundreds of convicted sex offenders over a period of 7 years, I became fascinated in the role polygraph played in the supervision and treatment of these individuals and holding them accountable (Containment Model). So much so, I quit my job and put myself in an American Polygraph Association (APA) approved academy and became a polygraph examiner.
13 years later, my wife and I have built one of the largest and well-respected private polygraph companies the Washington D.C Tri-State area, specializing in pre-employment polygraphs for local, county, state and federal agencies; sex offender polygraphs for these individuals’ while on active local, state and federal probation & parole; legal issue polygraphs for attorneys, military hearings, civil cases; and private citizen cases for counselors and individuals in therapy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The private polygraph field is not for the faint of heart or timid. Although the field of polygraph has grown significantly in the past 15-20 years with the addition of computerization, algorisms, standardization of procedures, research, advancement and use of technology, ongoing training, state statues and laws, and the never ending hard work of the American Polygraph Association and lobbying for the science behind the polygraph to be accepted within the legal fields, polygraph is STILL a science and field that is not widely known, other than as a punch line in movies, television, YouTube videos and social media.
For me and my company, the struggles within the polygraph field were real from the beginning. Trying to break into the industry after becoming certified was the biggest challenge. Although there are plenty of polygraph contracts to be had, many private polygraph company owners are very territorial about their area of service and contracts. And similarly, many agencies will stay will a private polygraph company if they are receiving quality services.
Without any real polygraph experience at first, finding a private polygraph company to take a chance on you and let you learn and develop into a sound examiner is very difficult. I bounced around with several smaller private polygraph companies for my first 5 years, gaining knowledge and experience, along with attending every state and national polygraph conference I could to expand my network of seasoned polygraph examiners to bounce ideas off of, ask clarifying questions, and get 2nd and 3rd opinions.
It wasn’t until I finally had enough knowledge and experience to bid on my own polygraph contracts that my company finally took off. And in the polygraph world, you are only as good as your reputation, and the last polygraph you completed. I have seen numerous new and seasoned examiners get out of the polygraph field for these reasons. It is a profession that continuously tests the examiner’s integrity 24-7, on and off the job. That is a very high standard to live up to for some people.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is a loaded question. I have had an amazing career spanning over 30 years… I will try to copy my resume to this section as that is the best way to get a glimpse into my career.
In short: Marine Corps Veteran of Dessert Shield/Dessert Storm, correctional officer, police officer, probation officer, and federal agent. Started my private polygraph company 13 years ago. Have lived at 4 American Embassies overseas as a Marine Security Guard (Russia. India, Germany, Turkey), along with Japan, Okinawa, Iraq, and did assignments in over 20 countries.
Not being the brightest kid in school, I was very good at baseball and football, and that got me into college. The self-discipline and integrity I have learned over the years has kept me motivated and always striving for the next big challenge, even when it is scary as hell.
RESUME:
SUMMARY: Meticulous criminal justice expert with over thirty-five years’ experience who undertakes complex assignments, meets tight deadlines, and delivers superior performance. Possesses practical and expertise knowledge in multiple fields within law enforcement, executive protection, risk assessment, intelligence, counterintelligence, terrorism, security, and polygraph sectors.
Core Competencies: Marine Corps Veteran * Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement experience * Domestic & International Security and Executive Protection Specialist * Joint Terrorism Task force (JTTF) and Counter-Intelligence experience * Supervisory and Leadership experience * Criminal Justice and Firearms Instructor * Security Consultant * Polygraph Examiner * Polygraph Instructor * Private Investigator * Top Secret and SCI government clearance
EDUCATION: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, Bachelor of Science, 1999
Major: Criminal Justice / Minor: Political Science
National Criminal Justice Honor Society (Alpha Phi Sigma)
COMMITTEES:
Virginia Polygraph Association – Vice President / Instructor
Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR) – Polygraph Board Chairman
American Polygraph Association – Ethics Committee Member / Instructor
National Polygraph Association – Ethics Committee Member / Instructor
American Association of Police Polygraphists – Civilian Committee Member / Instructor
British Polygraphy Association – Honorary Member / Instructor
WORK
EXPERIENCE: Smith & Associates Pre-Employment & Polygraph Services, LLC. / Owner
Polygraph Examiner, Private Investigator, Counterintelligence, Terrorism and Security Consultant
10875 Main Street, Suite 111, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
March 2013 – Present
• Develop and manage company’s SOP’s, contract proposals and marketing strategies
• Liaison with local, state, and federal agencies, military, security & private companies
• Facilitate criminal justice and private security training courses
• Conduct counterterrorism and counterintelligence polygraphs and investigations
• Conduct pre-employment, internal affairs, sex offender, and private polygraph examinations
• Conduct investigations to include background checks and agency SOP violations
• Security consulting to include vulnerability assessments
Polygraph Examiner, Polygraph School Instructor, Office Manager
Northern Virginia Pre-Employment & Polygraph Services, LLC Manassas, VA
March 2013 – May 2014 (Sub-contractor)
• Sub-contractor for pre-employment, internal affairs, sex offender and private polygraph examinations
• Project manager for private, city, and federal polygraph contracts
• Develop and manage company’s contract proposals and marketing strategies
• Review all reports and communications with vendors’ executive management personnel
• Market and facilitate polygraph courses for law enforcement and private security agencies
Probation and Parole Officer, Specialized Sex Offender and Gang Units
Virginia Department of Corrections, District 29 Probation and Parole, Fairfax, VA
March 2006 – March 2013
• Supervise intensive caseload of convicted sex offenders and gang members
• Prepare Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports and applicable Virginia Sentencing Guidelines
• Facilitate the Sex Offender Awareness Program (SOAP)
• Certified general and firearms instructor for the Department of Criminal Justice Services
• Develop active survival scenario ranges and provided instruction and training
• DOC academy adjunct instructor for basic school, firearms, and CPR/First Aid
Federal Special Agent
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Yokosuka, Japan
July 2004 – March 2006
• Provide protection as the supervising Personal Security Advisor (PSA) for the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet Commander, his
immediate staff, and family members
• Conduct counterterrorism and counter-intelligence assessments and investigations
• Conduct vulnerability assessments, established and revised security policies & procedures
• Coordinate security related task with U.S. Embassy and host nation officials
• Supervise a team of up to forty (40) Special Agents and host nation security specialists
• Brief officials on counter-terrorism efforts, intelligence, security, threat assessments, and budgetary related issues
Federal Special Agent
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Great Lakes, IL
October 2002 – July 2004
• Work undercover on a multi-jurisdictional narcotics taskforce
• Conduct investigations and surveillance on military personnel and civilians
• Conduct crime scene forensic investigations
• Provide personal security for U.S. & foreign diplomats
• Serve on protective detail for U.S. Ambassador to the Southern Coalition in Al-Hilla, Iraq
• Joint Terrorism Task Force Member (JTTF): Completed counterintelligence and anti-terrorism investigations &
surveillance
Probation Officer
Chesterfield Community Corrections, Chesterfield, VA
January 2000 – October 2002
• Provide supervision, education, and treatment referrals for probationers
• Conducted drug & alcohol urinalysis, and psychological & behavioral assessments
• Make appropriate referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment centers
• Testify in court regarding probationers’ non-compliance with court orders
Deputy Sheriff
Chesterfield Sheriff’s Department, Chesterfield, VA
09/1998 – 11/2000
• Special Operations Response Team (SORT) squad leader
• Supervise the Scared Straight and Inmate Outreach programs
• Physical Fitness Instructor for basic academy classes
• Provided security to courts, served warrants, and road detail/events as assigned
Senior Correctional Officer
Deep Meadows Correctional Center, Powhatan, VA
September 1996 – September 1999
• Supervise subordinate officers and provided daily operation instructions
• Provide 24-hour custody and control of inmates at medium security state prison
• Provide transportation and security of inmates attending court hearings and hospital appointments
• Shift supervisor of all prison posts to include Security Towers, Roving Patrol, Command Center, Sally Port, Front
Entry, Segregation Unit, and Transportation
Area Supervisor, Captain
Wackenhut Security Corporation, Richmond, VA
January 1996 – September 1996
• Coordinate and supervise guard force of 200+ officers at over twenty customer locations
• Provide oversight for recruitment, orientation, and training departments
• Security consulting to include vulnerability assessments and armed protection
Embassy Security Guard
United States Marine Corps, American Embassies: India, Germany, Russia, Turkey
June 1991 – September 1995
• Fire Direction Control (FDC) artillery unit during Operation Enduring Freedom (Kuwait & Iraq)
• Supervised 24-hour security of American Embassies and all State Department property
• Ensured the safe handling and storing of all Top Secret classified material
• Conducted daily security sweeps of Embassy and Ambassador residence
• Work with the U.S. Secret Service and Diplomatic Security Service providing protection for U.S. diplomats and
foreign dignitaries to include President Clinton and Vice President Gore
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
As for our time away from our company, my wife and I are nature lovers and spend most of our time enjoying our animals on our farm, including our 5 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and whatever wildlife decides to come visit us on our farm. Lately its been a family of lovable possums and a few wild pigs.
Pricing:
- The pricing for pre-employment polygraphs for local, county, state and federal police departments, fire departments, security companies, and other agencies vary depending on several factors such as the length of contract, number of polygraphs required annually, if testing is done in our state of art polygraph facility or at the customers location, amoung other factors.
- The pricing for private polygraphs that can be used for things such as couples in counseling, addictions, suspected infidelity, suspected theft and other concerns requiring the truth be revealed range from $400-$600.
- Pricing for polygraphs involving legal/illegal matters are speciality polygraphs and start at $1,000.00. f
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SAPPSpolygraph.com
- Instagram: RJSmithPolygraph@gmail.com
