Before testifying in a U.S. court, each witness answers this oath: “Do you solemnly swear or affirm the testimony you are about to give in the case now on trial is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” Today, more than ever, a bright light is focused on the truth, especially in criminal proceedings and law enforcement.

But what happens if a police officer has been untruthful before the trial? Does it matter if the officer’s untruthfulness is related to an internal department policy issue or to a criminal case? Could a sustained finding of officer untruthfulness, related or not to a criminal investigation, be the end of investigating criminal offenses and testifying in court—or even the end of a law enforcement career?