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Careers: Police/credit report check

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Expert: - 10/25/2005


Question
Hey,

I have a quick question about the credit check:

I don't have anything major like a Bankruptcy, Judgement or Repo.  I do have a couple of charged-off accounts that I am disputing.  I have 2 accounts that are in collections b/c i am still negotiating a settlement.  (all revolving credit accounts with the highest balance by far being 1000 dollars) .  I also have had an auto account in the past that was in good standing as well as 4 other revolving accounts that are also in good standing.

What say you about my 'credit' situation as it relates to the selection process?  What are they looking for?  You know as much about my credit as they will.  My friend (a police officer in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD) says that I should go ahead with my application and "don't worry about it" because he said he had less than perfect credit when he was hired.

What do you think i should do?...should i worry?...or should i relax?

Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions...you are very helpful.

Chris

Answer
Chris,

    I honestly don't have any idea how your credit history is going to affect your application to the police department.  You seem to have a lot of anxiety about this and I don't want to add to it by giving you an answer that I am not qualified to give.  What I am saying is that you are asking me to make a decision about something that I have no control over and know nothing about.

    I think that you should just sit back and wait and see what happens.  Asking people about your personal history is not going to help things.

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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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