PORTLAND, Maine — A former Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy who ran a private risk-management company that performed pre-employment polygraph tests for dozens of agencies in New England has been arrested and criminally charged after prosecutors allege he lied about administering examinations used to screen law enforcement applicants.
Charges allege deceptive conduct in hiring screenings
Regan Goan was taken into custody last week and charged with unsworn falsification, a violation of the Maine Polygraph Examiner’s Act and four counts of tampering with public records, according to court records. Goan spent more than two decades with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office before moving on to the Bridgton Police Department and establishing RJ Goan & Associates, a company that advertises risk-management services including polygraph examinations.
State law requires polygraph testing for applicants seeking many law enforcement positions. Prosecutors say Goan conducted examinations for Cumberland County from 2013 to 2021 and that his company now contracts with more than 70 agencies across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Allegations stem from 2021 hiring incident
The case, which investigators say began in 2025, centers on a Cumberland County dispatcher who later applied for a corrections officer job. The county hired RJ Goan & Associates to administer the applicant’s polygraph, and the examination itself was conducted by Benjamin Sweeney, who at the time worked for Goan.
According to court documents, the applicant told Sweeney that during an earlier polygraph given in 2021 when he was first hired as a dispatcher, Goan allowed him to leave without taking the test because he was nervous. The dispatcher then received notice the following day that he had passed the polygraph.
"If we can't trust the person that we're counting on to tell us of an individual's truthful or deceptive, then certainly the process lacks all the credibility," said retired Chief Noel March, who directs the Maine Community Policing Institute at the University of Maine at Augusta.
March, who has worked on law enforcement standards and training, described the polygraph’s role as a tool to help determine whether applicants exhibit deception when asked probing questions. He emphasized it is not intended to establish perfection but to screen for honesty in sensitive positions.
Potential ripple effects for agencies and past hires
Because RJ Goan & Associates contracted with dozens of agencies, the allegations raise questions about the validity of polygraph results used in hiring decisions over several years. Officials from some local departments have not yet publicly commented on whether they will review past files or reexamine applicants who passed exams administered by the company.
Legal experts note that proving falsification and tampering requires showing deliberate deception or alteration of records. If convictions occur, affected agencies could face pressure to audit hiring processes and consider remedial steps.
What the charges mean and next steps
Prosecutors allege specific violations tied to examinations and recordkeeping. Those charged face criminal proceedings in Maine courts, and the case could prompt broader policy reviews about reliance on private contractors for essential vetting of public-safety personnel.
Observers say the incident underscores the importance of transparency and oversight in background screening. Lawmakers and agency leaders have previously debated the reliability and appropriateness of polygraphs in hiring, and this case may revive those discussions.
- Alleged offenses: unsworn falsification, violation of Maine Polygraph Examiner's Act, four counts of tampering with public records.
- Timeframe of exams: examinations for Cumberland County from 2013–2021; investigation began in 2025.
- Scope: Goan’s company contracts with more than 70 agencies across three states.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Subject | Regan Goan |
| Former employer | Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office |
| Company | RJ Goan & Associates |
| Alleged period of examinations | 2013–2021 |
| Investigation opened | 2025 |
Neither Goan nor his attorney has provided a public comment to date, and court records do not yet indicate whether additional individuals or agencies will be named as the investigation continues. The charges will be handled in Maine’s criminal justice system, where prosecutors must present evidence to support the allegations.
For applicants and current public-safety employees concerned about the integrity of their background checks, human resources offices at hiring agencies remain the point of contact. Agencies may issue statements or guidance if they choose to review prior examinations tied to RJ Goan & Associates.
As the case progresses, it could influence ongoing conversations at the state level about oversight, the role of private contractors in law enforcement screening, and safeguards to ensure the credibility of examinations that affect public trust and safety.
