US support for the use of the polygraph in Albanian security structures is expanding. Two new experts from the Police Oversight Agency have recently been certified in the United States, while US authorities present this as a step toward strengthening integrity screening within law enforcement ranks.
Two new certifications for AMP
According to an announcement published by the US Embassy in Tirana, the Police Oversight Agency has graduated two new certified polygraph experts.
The training was carried out with the support of the US Department of Justice’s ICITAP and the State Department’s INL, at the International Polygraph Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
More than 400 hours of training
The two examiners completed an intensive 10-week course which, according to the official version, included more than 400 hours of training in scientific testing, credibility assessment, interview methodologies and ethics.
According to the same presentation, they are able to conduct examinations in both English and Albanian.
The polygraph has also been used for NBI candidates
This is not the first time the polygraph has been used by this team. Previously trained experts tested candidates for the National Bureau of Investigation in two earlier selection processes.
Now, with the addition of the new specialists, AMP’s capacities in this direction are also expanding.
The official claim in the fight against crime
US authorities say the new skills will support the screening and integrity verification of future law enforcement officers.
In the same vein, the US Embassy presents this as a contribution to making Albania a more reliable partner in the fight against international crime. However, the public announcement does not provide concrete data on the practical results of this mechanism so far, beyond the training and certifications.
The expansion of polygraph use comes at a time when integrity screening in law enforcement agencies remains a sensitive issue and is often contested in practice.
For now, the publicly verifiable element remains the certification of two new experts and the continuation of US support for this instrument in Albania.