Each member acknowledges and accepts that membership is a privilege and not a right. Each member agrees to abide by all of the terms and conditions of the Constitution and By-laws. Nothing in this constitution shall exonerate a member from failing to comply with National Laws, Bylaws and Regulations in their own country should there be any conflict between this Constitution and those National Laws, Bylaws or Regulations.
A member shall not knowingly make, publish or cause to be published any false or misleading statements or advertisements relating to the Canadian Polygraph Association or the polygraph profession. No member shall make any false representations as to their category or status of membership in CPA.
Classes of Membership
There are five classes of membership: Full, Intern, Associate, Honourary, and Affiliate.
Full Member:
To qualify for full privileges and standing as a voting member the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- The application must have completed a course of formal instruction in polygraph instrumentation and techniques at an accredited polygraph school.
- The applicant shall be employed full or part-time in polygraphy.
- The application must have demonstrated proficiency in polygraphy to the satisfaction of the Membership Committee.
- The applicant/member has paid in full their annual membership fee to the Treasurer of CPA on or after January 1st of the year of membership. Membership fees must be paid no later than the date of the annual CPA meeting. Any membership fees received after this date will incur a penalty of $25.00 to cover any additional costs that may be incurred by processing the late fee.
- The applicant must be a full-time member of an accredited police organization.
Intern Member:
Applicants for intern membership shall be admitted upon the approval of the Membership Committee either during the period of their formal training or internship as polygraphists, or as a former member requesting reinstatement after a period exceeding two (2) consecutive years, provided:
- The applicant is employed full or part-time in polygraphy.
- The applicant has paid in full their membership dues annual membership fee to the Treasurer of CPA on or after January 1st of the year of membership. Membership fees must be paid no later than the date of the annual CPA meeting.
- The applicant must be a full-time member of an accredited police organization.
- Intern members in good standing shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of CPA open to the membership, but shall not represent themselves as being anything other than intern members.
- Intern members shall have no voting rights in matter before CPA, nor are Intern members eligible for election to hold office within CPA.
- The Intern membership shall not be extended beyond a period of five (5) years from the date of acceptance to Intern membership, except where extenuating circumstances exist and the extension is approved by the Membership Committee.
Associate Member:
Persons who qualify for this class must meet the following requirements:
- A Full member in good standing with CPA who is transferred to other duties within an accredited police organization which excludes administering polygraph examination, or who retires and demonstrates his/her desire to continue his/her association with CPA and the polygraph profession OR;
- A member of an accredited police organization who has retired from active police duties prior to the formation of CPA and would have met the requirements for this class of membership; and
- The applicant/member has paid in full their annual membership fee to the Treasurer of CPA on or after January 1st of the year of membership. Membership fees must be paid no later than the date of the annual CPA meeting. Any membership fees received after this date will incur a penalty of $25.00 to cover any additional costs that may be incurred by processing the late fee.
- An associate member is eligible for election to hold office within CPA with the exception of the following positions, namely a) President, b) Vice President and c) Chair of the Professional Standards and Ethics Committee.
Honourary Member:
Those persons who have been nominated by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors and approved by a majority vote of the membership of CPA as having made a significant and outstanding contribution to the polygraph profession may be extended Honourary membership in CPA. Any member in good standing with CPA may recommend a nominee for Honourary membership to the Board of Directors.
- Honourary members shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of CPAP open to the membership but shall not represent themselves as anything but Honourary members.
- Honourary members shall have no voting rights in matters before CPA, nor shall they be eligible for election to hold office within CPA.
Affiliate Member:
Persons who possess a sincere interest in polygraphy shall be eligible for membership as an affiliate member of CPA. Applicants for Affiliate membership may include representatives from polygraph instrument manufacturers, personnel involved in research in the field of polygraphy, and any other person who is approved by the Membership Committee as having a valid or professional interest in the polygraph profession.
- Affiliate members must pay in full their annual membership fee to the Treasurer of CPA on or after January 1st of the year of membership. Membership fees must be paid no later than the date of the annual CPA meeting. Any membership fees received after this date will incur a penalty of $25.00 to cover any additional costs that may be incurred by processing the late fee.
- Affiliate members in good standing shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of CPA open to the membership, but shall not represent themselves as being anything other than Affiliate members of CPA.
- Affiliate members shall have no voting rights in matters before CPA, nor are they eligible for election to hold office in CPA.