In the summer of 1990, Capt. William (Bill) Taylor and Dr. Antonio (Tony) V. Suarez-Barrio, recognizing the success of the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP), began to consider and study the possibility, along with the benefits, of establishing an association consisting strictly of polygraph examiners from the State of Texas. In June of 1992, following all the hard work and countless hours dedicated by cofounders, Capt. Taylor and Dr. Barrio, the organization we all know as “TALEPI” was established. Initially the most prestigious award TALEPI could present to any polygraphy examiner was referred to as the “Lifetime Achievement Award”.

This award was established to recognize those polygraph examiners who have had distinguished careers by elevating themselves among their peers through their demonstrating exceptional professionalism, achieving remarkable success, and making significant contributions to our polygraph profession. In 1998, TALEPI’s leadership renamed the Lifetime Achievement Award as the ‘Bill Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award’ in honor of Capt.Taylor.” Throughout his career, Capt.Taylor distinguished himself within the DPS organization, rising to the rank of Capt. and eventually being assigned as the supervisor of the entire DPS polygraph division which consisted of 11 examiners. Capt.Taylor’s dedication, passion, and ethical standards as well as his personal qualities of professionalism and integrity made him an example for all polygraph examiners to aspire to emulate.

Some of Capt.Taylor’s achievements included:
1969 –License Polygraph Examiner for the State of Texas 
1976 – Cofounding the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP) where he served 2 terms as the president 
1992 – Cofounding the Texas Association of Law Enforcement Polygraph Investigators Honorably retiring from DPS following 37 years of distinguished service Since the award’s dedication in honor of Capt.Taylor, it has been presented to four examiners. The first presentation occurred in 1999. During that initial award ceremony, Capt.Taylor, who was in hospice and unable to attend, requested our co-founder, Dr. Barrio, to present it on his behalf.

Dr. Barrio presented the first award to John Carruthers. Subsequently, this award has been presented to the following three examiners: Kelly Hendricks in 2010, Jack St. John in 2011, and most recently, Jimmy Stevens in 2024.

The Paraprofessional Award honors those individuals or businesses who, although not polygraph examiners, have made significant contributions to the polygraph profession which assist us in achieving our final goal.

The Examiner of the Year Award honors an individual, who over the past year has demonstrated outstanding expertise, professionalism, and dedication within the polygraph profession. This examiner has exemplified the highest standards required of our profession, through their technical proficiency, ethical conduct, and willingness to provide leadership and assistance for their fellow colleagues. Their exemplary performance has not only reflected positively on themselves but also on their agency and the polygraph community as a whole.

The Rookie of the Year Award honors a new polygraph examiner within their first or second year of administering polygraph examinations. This examiner has shown exceptional dedication and skills, while conducting themselves in an ethical manner as to have a positive impact on the polygraph community during the start of their career as a polygraph examiner.

The Pioneer Award honors those individuals or businesses who have developed new and inventive ideas for the polygraph profession.