VZCZCXRO0611
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #2098/01 1982249
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 172249Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7482
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/HQ USNORTHCOM
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 002098 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KCRM SNAR MX
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MEXICO'S POLYGRAPH PROGRAM 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary.  In 2008, the Mexican government 
approached the U.S. Embassy Mexico City for assistance with 
vetting federal officials through the use of polygraph 
technology and stringent background checks.  Building on 
existing cooperation mechanisms, we created a bilateral 
polygraph working group. The FY2008 Merida Supplemental 
appropriated five million for the program; the FY2009 budget 
has earmarked an additional six million. While the polygraph 
program will take several years to produce highly-trained 
polygraphers capable of maintaining and replicating standards 
across the Mexican interagency, this program under the Merida 
Initiative significantly improves the capacity of GOM 
authorities to draft and keep honest cops, prosecutors and 
soldiers.  End Summary 
 
 
Hardly Starting from Scratch 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  The USG has long supported the GOM in credibility 
assessment and polygraph matters, in particular through our 
relationship with PGRQ,s Centro de Confianza -- today known 
as the Center for Human Development (CeDH).  The CeDH is a 
pre-employment examination center that conducts interviews 
and administers written examinations, psychological 
interviews and testing, and polygraph examinations of all who 
apply to work for the Attorney General (PGR).  Since 2000, 
the USG has provided CeDH with training and polygraph 
equipment, including polygraph machines and video cameras. 
In 2007, the USG upgraded CeDH's polygraph machines; in 2008, 
we sent Mexican polygraph examiners to the yearly polygraph 
convention in the U.S.  In support of the GOM's goal to 
increase the number of polygraph examiners nationwide, the 
Embassy's Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) and Legal AttachQ's 
Office teamed up to create and fund, at a cost of $400,000, a 
ten week recertification course that included initial 
training at the Department of Public Safety Academy in 
Austin. 
 
 
Merida Initiative and Mexico's Contribution 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)   Following up on President Felipe Calderon's 
commitment in his August 2008 state of the union address to 
rid the police and judiciary of corruption, the PGR requested 
we assist it in assessing and enhancing the credibility of 
its work force.  Building on our existing relationship, 
Merida Initiative programs expanded the reach of our efforts 
to Mexican Customs (Aduanas) and the Mexican Immigration 
Services (INAMI).  The Letter of Agreement (LOA), signed in 
February 2009 between four Mexican federal agencies (SSP, 
PGR, Aduanas, and INAMI) and the Embassy, established that 
the United States would provide U.S. federal law enforcement 
advisors to train Mexican polygraphers on the latest 
procedures and standards, as well as provide state-of-the-art 
equipment. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Separately, the U.S. and the GOM created a 
bilateral polygraph working group entrusted with establishing 
priorities for MI funding.  Congress appropriated five 
million dollars from the FY2008 Merida Supplemental for the 
polygraph program; we anticipate receiving an additional six 
million in FY2009 spending.  These U.S. funds complement SSP 
program investments of over three million dollars in 
equipment, infrastructure, and personnel training over the 
last two years.  Other GOM agencies have also increased their 
funding of polygraph programs. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) At this juncture, SSP and PGR both employ trained 
polygraphers.  Aduanas and INAMI, meanwhile, have just begun 
to stand up their programs.  CISEN has a polygraph school. 
It is also establishing processes and procedures for all of 
Mexico's polygraph programs.  To date, however, other Mexican 
agencies have only had limited contact and exposure to 
CISENQ,s polygraph program. 
 
The Players 
----------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) There are currently several stakeholders in the 
bilateral polygraph working group.  The Mexican participants 
in the program are SSP, PGR, Aduanas, and INAMI.  Based on a 
 
MEXICO 00002098  002 OF 003 
 
 
recent recommendation of the working group, the GOM 
identified CISEN as the lead agency responsible for 
coordinating polygraph standards in Mexico.  CISEN will 
assume a role comparable to that assumed by the U.S. Defense 
Academy for Credibility Assessment (DACA) in that it will be 
the sole entity promulgating polygraph training, standards 
and processes across the Mexican federal government.  ICE, 
ATF, U.S. Secret Service, CBP, DEA, the U.S. Marshal Service, 
FBI, NAS and the Embassy Information Services office are the 
identified participants in the working group from the 
Embassy.  All U.S. agencies coordinate with their Mexican 
counterparts and with each other to ensure consistency of 
program implementation, polygraph examination standards and 
efficient use of MI funding. 
 
 
More Complicated Than You Think 
------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  The Mexican government aims to create a cadre of 
500 polygraphers.  This will take time, however, as a well 
managed, consistent polygraph program requires more than just 
new equipment and initial training. Polygraphers need years 
of experience, re-training and re-certification to become 
proficient at administering and reading tests. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) As an illustration of this very point, ICE 
performed polygraph exams on one third of the polygraphers at 
SSP.  Of the 100 tested, 75% failed the exam.  Most who 
failed admitted to altering test results, manipulating exams 
or lying about disclosure.  SSP reassigned those individuals 
to other areas not associated with creditability assessment. 
Our hope is that Mexico's decision to make CISEN the single 
authority for polygraph matters will allow GOM to establish 
training norms and implement process standards across 
agencies at the federal level. 
 
¶9. (SBU) It is important to recall that the Mexican 
government mandated a dramatic increase in police, 
investigators and prosecutors over the next several years. 
Each of these federal officers must take part in a 
credibility assessment, which includes a polygraph exam. 
Additionally, officers currently employed must take an annual 
polygraph exam.  When DEA conducted 200 polygraphs of PGR's 
organized crime unit (SIEDO) for vetting purposes, 23% failed 
the exams.  DEA understands from sources inside of PGR that 
the officers or applicants that fail the exam are fired or 
not hired.  The sheer number of exams GOM law enforcement 
agencies want to conduct coupled with the limited amount of 
trained polygraphers is placing significant stress on the 
system.  As a result, these agencies aim to train 
polygraphers as soon as possible. 
 
¶10. (SBU)  With the attention the polygraph program has 
drawn, vendors have bombarded the GOM with their high-priced 
wares.  Some of these companies use less than honest pitches, 
including assertions the U.S. Embassy endorses their 
equipment.  Neither the law enforcement community nor the 
bilateral polygraph working group endorses any un-proven 
equipment or techniques.  Unfortunately, the GOM expends much 
time and resources dealing with these matters. 
 
 
¶11.  (SBU)  Comment. As the U.S and Mexico build their 
polygraph training relationship, the bilateral polygraph 
working group will be the primary force that drives 
consistency and adherence to standards.  Our combined efforts 
already allow us to make progress in promoting greater 
interagency program consistency when it comes to training and 
standards, as well as combating the manipulation of test 
results by senior leaders. The Mexican Government has 
demonstrated its commitment to the integrity of the program 
by replacing the head of CeDH, who was not fully implementing 
the recommendations of the working group and replacing or 
removing SSP officials who were not adhering to the newly 
established standards.  While the polygraph program will take 
several years to generate highly trained polygraphers capable 
of maintaining and replicating standards across the Mexican 
interagency, the program has already contributed 
significantly to the creation of trusted units with which 
U.S. law enforcement agencies can work closely in 
investigating sensitive cases. 
 
 
MEXICO 00002098  003 OF 003 
 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American 
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
 
FEELEY