Iowa police commissioner explains Filipinos remark

IOWA CITY (AP) ? Iowa Public Safety Commissioner K. Brian London sought Wednesday to clarify a statement he made earlier this year in which he told employees that he believed Filipinos were difficult to polygraph.

Through a spokesman, London confirmed that he told employees months ago that, in his prior experience as an agent with the U.S. Secret Service, ?completing polygraphs with Filipinos was difficult.? He said that he brought up his experience as an example of how cultural and legal barriers can make examinations difficult, and that he did not mean to disparage their nationality or imply they were less truthful than other races.

London briefed the office of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad about the remarks during a previously scheduled meeting Tuesday, said the spokesman, Lt. Rob Hansen. On Wednesday, London convened a meeting in his office in Des Moines with the polygraph examiners who were present for his earlier remarks so that he could clarify them, Hansen said.

The actions came after The Associated Press in recent days questioned London and Hansen about his remarks. Based on the AP?s questions, London believed there was ?a potential misunderstanding? about what he meant, Hansen said.

London denied an interview request with the AP to explain his remarks, but he sent detailed explanations through Hansen.

?Specifically, in his experience as a polygraph examiner during his service with US Secret Service completing polygraphs with Filipinos was difficult. The language itself along with the use of an interpreter made these examinations more difficult than others in his experience,? Hansen wrote Friday.

On Monday, Hansen said London was referring to a specific polygraph exam he conducted in 1986 and ?was not sharing his views regarding Filipinos in general.? He said London was using his experience to make a point about establishing relationships with subjects with different languages and cultures, developing viable questions and understanding non-verbal communications.

?The point in this specific example is that Commissioner London had no idea of what cultural differences or value system to use in preparing questions and administering the exam. His comments were intended to illustrate this difficulty,? Hansen said.

Branstad appointed London last year to lead the department, which includes the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Patrol. During a 30-year career, London says he has worked in numerous agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Secret Service, INTERPOL and, until 2010, the Florida Department of Financial Services.

His department has been embroiled in controversy for weeks. A fired Division of Criminal Investigation agent filed a lawsuit last week accusing London of demoralizing field agents with his management style and retaliating against him for blowing the whistle on Branstad?s speeding state SUV.

Hansen said no one has complained internally about London?s remarks. Branstad?s office didn?t respond to inquiries Wednesday.