Expert: Jack Toomey - 9/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a few questions to filling out an application.  I live in North Carolina and here they only require a high school graduation.  So I'm filling out the application.  I have always wanted to be a police officer.  I guess it almost runs in the blood.  I want to help people and overall make a difference in my community.  There is a question on the application that asks about debt on my credit report.  I do not have the best credit and I'm wondering if this is going to hurt my chances.  Also There are three other questions on the application that I'm not sure what to say and was wondering if you could give me an idea.  I don't want to be like every other application that hits their desks I want to stand out.  The questions are:

Briefly explain your reasons for applying to be a police officer?
What are your feelings about the use of deadly force if it became necessary in the performance of official duties?

I have no problem with using deadly force if it is absolutely necessary.  I'm not sure if that is what they want to hear.  

Can you Please help me
Sarah

ANSWER: Sarah,

   During your background check your credit history will be investigated.  I will tell you this right now so you won't be disppointed.  A bad credit rating is a predictor of future performanace in police work.  It has been proven over and over and that is why police departments investigate this kind of thing.  Your credit history certainly is not going to help you but not knowing how bad it is maybe it won't hurt you.

   I can't help you fill out your application or tell you what to say on it for the simple reason that it is your feelings and opinion and not mine.

   You already seemed to have answered the first question about why you want to be a police officer but I would go into more detail than you already have.

 On the second question I think that I would go into a little more detail than you stated unless that was just a one line synopsis of what you plan to say.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What if I filed bankruptcy? Would that make it worse? I have 2 civil judgements rendered against me- how much is this going to affect my chances?

Answer
Sarah,

   I can't tell you how all of this is going to affect your chances.  I would have no way of knowing this condidering that there are over a thousand police departments in this country and every one has its own hiring standards.  There are no national hiring standards so its impossible for me to answer your question with a  yes or no.

  But.......as I said before.  These judgements are certainly not going to help you and I am sure that you realize that.