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Question
I've been trying to start a law enforcement career for some time now. I was wondering if my credit issues in the past are going to be a factor. I've never even had so much as a speeding ticket, but, my credit has taken a few dings in the recent years. Any advise would be great!
When doing a background check on any potential candidates a check of their financial record is conducted. Those with poor credit are not passed on through the process. The thought is that if you are not responsible with your own credit how can you be responsible for anything else.
Jason-It is not my intention to say these are your circumstances, I'm simply relaying the thought process behind the background checks. Everything being equal a person with no credit problems will be hired before someone with credit problems and police departments will pass as soon as the credit problems come to light.
My advice is to wait a little while and work on getting your credit squared away. Improve your credit score, make on time payments and once you've re-established your credit apply and you should be fine.
Good Luck!
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Answers by Expert:
Eric Potts
Expertise
I am a Veteran of The United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer for 6 years and have been a Municipal Police Officer for 20 years. I am a certified Arson Investigator, as well as a certified Community Police Officer. I am a DARE teacher in the local schools. I am a Defensive Driving Instructor and worked for years as a Detective specializing in White Collar Crime. I'm qualified to answer general law enforcement questions, general procedure questions (all departments have different rules and regulations. I can answer questions about how to become a law enforcement officer, and questions that might help someone understand why an officer acted a certain way. I am also a Police Suicide Awareness trainer and a member of the NJ Critical Incident Response Team. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO SWAT-I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THEM AND WILL REJECT THOSE QUESTIONS.
Experience
I have 27 years total Law Enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I have worked as a Detective and a Patrolman and have made well over 2,000 arrests in my career.
Education/Credentials
Graduated from the United States Army Military Police School
Basic Law Enforcement Training
Arson Investigators School
DARE Officer Training
Interview and Interrogation School
Police Suicide and Awareness Trainer
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