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Expert: - 11/30/2007


Question
Hello My name is Damien carr I'm 32 years of age, For the last Five years I've been trying to become a Law Enforcement Officer, However due to old Traffic tikets and bad credit,This has become a concern to me, By the way My Traffic Tickets are no longer a problem however my credit score is around a 450, Do I still have a chance to make it as a Lawman? and If I consolidate my bills will this improve my credit enough to show that I'm taking care of my responsibilities? This has been A life long dream of mine. I have the education but this obstical is in my way, can you help me with some options?

Answer
Mr. Carr,

Thanks for the question.

Some police agencies do not check credit histories. However, most of them do. Clean it up as much as possible to improve the credit score.

Bad credit could indicate problems of a financial nature, which could make someone susceptible to corruption/bribery. Not often, but it does occur.

Get in touch with a reputable credit counselor and get it straightened out and then I am sure you will have a pretty good chance of being hired somewhere.

Good luck and best wishes!

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William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

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