Careers: Police/police hiring

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Expert: - 1/5/2009


Question
Why does credit matter?
I am good on everything, but my credit is less than stellar due to a divorce.  Will that keep me from getting hired?
Do you get paid while going through BLET?

Answer
Mandy,

I am going to have to place this on my profile page.  There are thousands of police departments and each one has its own hiring standards.  Every single one is different.  There are no national hiring standards for the position of police officer.  So there is no way that I can tell you "yes" or "no".

But I can tell you that a bad credit history is an automatic disqualifer for most reputable police departments.  A bad credit history is a good predictor for bad performance.  

In no way am I saying that you will not get hired, not telling you not to apply, and I do wish you good luck.  I will say this.  Your credit history will not help you.  But there is a chance it won't hurt you.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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