Gormac Polygraph School, It's History and Legacy
Established in 1959 and closing its doors in 1989, Gormac Polygraph School emerged as a distinguished institution, specializing in the education of law enforcement professionals, private investigators, and individuals in related fields. Located in Arcadia, California, its influence transcended borders, attracting a diverse student body not only from various states across the United States but also from international locales such as Canada, Mexico, Guam, and beyond.
The visionary force behind Gormac Polygraph School was the esteemed Los Angeles police Commander G. Douglas Gourley. After retiring from the LAPD in 1957, Gourley took on the role of a full professor and Dean of Fine and Applied Arts at California State University, Los Angeles. In the same year, he spearheaded the establishment and leadership of the Police Science Department, situated within the Fine and Applied Arts School at CSULA.
During its inception, Gormac Polygraph School held a distinctive position as one of only three polygraph schools in the United States. Its counterparts included the Backster School of Lie Detection in New York, the John E Reid School of Polygraph in Chicago, and the Army School of Polygraph in South Carolina. Setting itself apart as the exclusive institution in the western U.S., Gormac garnered prestige by assembling a team of exceptional instructors with top-tier credentials, hailing from renowned entities such as Army CID, CIA, the Los Angeles Police Department, UCLA, and other prestigious agencies and institutions.
Renowned for its pioneering training methodologies, Gormac Polygraph School introduced a unique approach by incorporating actors to simulate mock crimes. This innovative strategy provided students with invaluable practical experience, enhancing their ability to administer tests effectively. The institution's commitment to its graduates was unwavering, with comprehensive reviews of their work and rigorous evaluations of chart analyses and question formulations culminating in certification.
The profound impact of Gormac Polygraph School echoed through the accomplished careers of hundreds of its graduates. Many assumed pivotal roles in various levels of law enforcement, spanning local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as within intelligence organizations. Additionally, a substantial number of alumni found success in diverse government entities and private investigation services, higher education, and related fields.
However, the school's closure in 1989 was influenced by a declining demand for polygraph examiners, attributed in part to the enactment of the Federal Polygraph Protection Act of 1989. Despite the conclusion of its operations, Gormac Polygraph School's lasting legacy continues to serve as a beacon of excellence in polygraph education and training. Navigating an era of significant change, the institution left an indelible mark on the landscape of lie detection education, as documented in the Arcadia Tribune on October 6, 1977, by Dave Brandt. Additional information provided by the Gourley family and former graduates from the school. https://www.prlog.org/13002315-gormac-polygraph-school-its-history-and-legacy.html
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