Richard L. Pinckard, a deputy city attorney representing San Diego and three other cities backing Vallejo in the case, said the ruling was especially important in view of state laws barring polygraph exams for officers already on the job. A California State Court of Appeals ruled on Monday that cities and counties could require applicants for jobs as police officers to submit to polygraph testing. In 1986 the State Supreme Court held that any involuntary polygraph testing of state employees was unconstitutional, but the court's ruling did not settle the issue as regards public safety jobs. In the case at hand, a man who had taken disability retirement sought reinstatement but was denied unless he would submit to polygraph testing. The court found that this requirement violated his First Amendment rights under the 14th Amendment.
A California State Court of Appeals ruled on Monday that cities and counties could require applicants for jobs as police officers to submit to polygraph testing. In 1986 the State Supreme Court held that any involuntary polygraph testing of state employees was unconstitutional, but the court's ruling did not settle the issue as regards public safety jobs. In the case at hand, a man who had taken disability retirement sought reinstatement but was denied unless he would submit to polygraph testing. The court found that this requirement violated his First Amendment rights under the 14th Amendment.