Can you become a police officer with bad credit or bankruptcy on your credit report?

Jul 15th, 2011
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Question by Mindchser: Can you become a police officer with bad credit or bankruptcy on your credit report?
I am going to be taking the Basic Law Enforcement Training program this year. I should be done in December, so hopefully I’ll be finding a job around early January.

Anyway, I currently have bad credit. 545 score to be exact. I have heard it’s very difficult to become an officer with bad credit so I am seriously considering filing bankruptcy. I have heard it takes around 6 months and your credit will be as good as new and thus, hopefully I would be able to get a job as a police officer.

So, does anyone know if this is the best way to go about it?

Thank you for any information.

Best answer:

Answer by Scotty
Credit scores and bankruptcies are considered in hiring, but none of the law enforcement agencies I’ve worked with make them an absolute bar to employment.

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  1. amg503
    Jul 15th, 2011 at 18:21
    Quote | #1

    There’s no way you’ll rebuild your credit in 6 months. The bankruptcy takes 7 years to disappear of your report. You can rebuild within that time, but that black cloud will still be there.

    Also, they made bankruptcies harder to obtain last year. It’s supposedly harder than ever before to file.

    I wouldn’t think that your credit would be a deciding factor in your job, though. While I’m not a police officer, I’m pretty sure that if you’re good officer material, they are not going to pass on you because of your credit score.

  2. beermanlookingforbeergirl
    Jul 15th, 2011 at 18:30
    Quote | #2

    Find something else,people who become cops are only high school rejecks…Think they have something to prove!!!

  3. lashlao1
    Jul 15th, 2011 at 18:39
    Quote | #3

    You can work to get your credit better (pay off all your bills on time..)

    As for the Law Enforcement question – Yes it looks bad on an application. They don’t want someone who is susceptible to bribes or other nefarious activities. Having bad credit could be that in a desperate situation you may resort to getting money illegally. If you show you are solid.. worked things out.. it will show that you had problems and could fix them.

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