law enforcement/ military jobs after BK?

[jribe]

Does anyone have experience regarding being able to get a job in law enforcement (CHP, PD, Sherrifs, Corrections etc) or the US Military after filing BK?

I know just about everywhere *asks* if you've filed, and most places check credit now; but i am wondering if it's actually something that would get you declined...

Of course i know they can't say that was the reason, but just looking for personal experiences/knowledge .

thanks

[AngelinaCatHub]

I can't give you experience but unless you are handling money, or things like banking, I cannot see where it would hurt in milatary or police work. Many people that you know, have been here, done that. I held a mortgage note for a very nice couple. Not a problem at all with them. Just for the heck of it, I ran the name through PACER and, in 1990, they bk'ed 7. So, it stands to reason there will become a flood of this in our future, due to our political situation. Only my opinion, but if you try, you have two answers, if you do not, you have only one. 'Hub

[hamburgervol]

I have a friend that's a Police Officer.I'm pretty sure he BKed a few years back. I'm positive his wife did.

[justbroke]

Whether it affects top secret security clearances, or work in law enforcement, depends on the local policy of the agency you are wanting to work for. Simply put, they have selection criteria and they will weigh you versus another person. A bankruptcy stands out but it not an immediate disqualifier in most cases.

I recent had a background check in order to work on sensitive material I had to tell them all about my BK, debt, house value, etc. I passed the background check and am cleared.

[athomas]

Depends on the agency, I'm sure. For us things worked out fine, even during an active 13. It was definitely discussed during the hiring process, and in our situation I think the reasons for BK were part of the decision process.

Good luck to you!!! We are proof that it is not automatic grounds for a disqualification.

[chad9162]

justbroke and athomas are correct. For Military (I used to be a recruiter) a BK would not affect you unless its was related to a security clearance. It would not deter you from handling money only a conviction of theft or similar.

For Law Enforcement at least in N.California they like you to be 1 year from any financial problems, like BK's, charge offs, etc. If you're already hired then no one really cares as long as it doesn't affect your job.

If you're a new hire and that's the only "skeleton" in your closet, I think you'll be okay. You'd have to sell yourself and explain. Good reason for BK. Obviously they will look at the whole picture and since we're all human we make mistakes. But if you have other questionable things or things that show you're irresponsible then the BK would just compound things. Hopefully that makes sense!

[Recessionist]

Under the FCRA, the potential employer MUST tell you if they made a negative hiring decision based on anything in your background check. You have the right to appeal anything that is incorrect. This includes anything found in a credit check, employment verification, reference check, criminal history check, drug screening, education verification, address verification, etc.

Many employers may screen out people with a BK, and when there is heavy job competition, it becomes more likely that negatives in a background check will be used as criteria.

That said, many employers do not pull a credit report at all, or if they do, they don't usually pull FICO, they just pull a regular credit report and try to interpret it. These days, lots of people have bad credit. More and more good people have bad credit due to the current economy. It's become less of a stigma, and many employers know it's not a very good indicator of your worth as an employee. The best you can really hope for is an enlightened employer who sees how much you are worth otherwise.

I would like to see greater regulation of what prospective employers can or can't see in a background check, and force them to be more forthcoming about hiring criteria.

[floridian]

indebtedness and all that go with it can cause you to be rejected from many LEO jobs...thats all im at liberty to say..

[Jacinta]

Does anyone know about if bankruptcy disqualifies you from a governmen job..say as an IRS agent?

[chad9162]

indebtedness and all that go with it can cause you to be rejected from many LEO jobs...thats all im at liberty to say..

Because its classified! haha. I think its all "common sense." Its not a matter of National Security like floridian is implying.

In fact, if you call them and ask them, they will tell you indirectly (by their reaction to the questions) or directly if you qualify or not. In CA most agencies follow the CHP standard so call their recruiter. Some agency are more restrictive on certain things that they've had problems with. I would say BK does not disqualify you. It would fall into the category of total circumstances

Federal standards are a bit stricter than local standards. Obviously if you have a lot of debt you could be a security risk, bribed easily etc.

Does anyone know about if bankruptcy disqualifies you from a governmen job..say as an IRS agent?

Call them and ask them. In the past agencies did not tell you what "disqualified" you but today most agencies will because they don't want to waste their time or yours.

[Jacinta]

Thanks. I will call on Monday. I haven't filed yet for BK and got an email yesterday that said I was "best qualified" and will hear from them. What timing!!

[TEW]

Because its classified! haha. I think its all "common sense." Its not a matter of National Security like floridian is implying.

In fact, if you call them and ask them, they will tell you indirectly (by their reaction to the questions) or directly if you qualify or not. In CA most agencies follow the CHP standard so call their recruiter. Some agency are more restrictive on certain things that they've had problems with. I would say BK does not disqualify you. It would fall into the category of total circumstances

Federal standards are a bit stricter than local standards. Obviously if you have a lot of debt you could be a security risk, bribed easily etc.



Call them and ask them. In the past agencies did not tell you what "disqualified" you but today most agencies will because they don't want to waste their time or yours.

No it does not you may have an issue if you need a security clearance.

[floridian]

well, the reason that i wont comment further, is because it would give out too much personal info, which is not good on a site like this.. lets just say im in a position to know..
it hasnt been too long ago, that an officer would be fired for filing.. but then the standards for police work have relaxed considerably in the last 10 years, in all areas...
every place is different...years ago, you couldnt get hired if you had a couple of speeding tickets.. now we have officers on the road that have had more than one DWI...
now that the economy is tight and police positions are being cut in some areas, they are tightening up...

but just for the record, i just talked to a recruiter from a major LE agency and was told they are having trouble finding qualified recruits, due to debt related problems... he would not tell someone on the phone that info...
but we are talking about florida, god knows what they do in other states...

[Flamingo]

BK, employment and hiring is a hotbed issue now since there are so many people filing. If one needs a high level security clearance or is applying for a higher level goverment job (or other level depending on the agency), a BK can prevent one from getting the clearance or getting that job. That is well known information and is upfront information given to any applicant. In some cases an explanation (as some posters indicate above) as to why the BK occurred can help and may be requested. Some employers (usually financial) require an extensive credit and background check, fingerprints included, in the hiring process and will advise you that BK or bad credit (i.e., chargeoffs) on your report can be indicative in their decision and one may also be required to fill out credit informatoin prior to an interview stating all your bills and balances owed. They will check that against your credit reports when pulled. Your signature and your giving them your SS# allow them to do all that for the hiring process. It all depends on the agency, job position, company requirements, etc., etc. My spouse had an onsite high level security clearance in a former contracting job and he could not renew it to keep it due to our Chapter 13 filing prior to its expiration. He checked into all that. I previously was onsite in a contracting position at a very large national financial firm and in order for me to work on the site, I had to be fingerprinted, provide the above credit questionnaire and explain every aspect of my financial life (this was pre-BK). I was advised in advance that that if I did not pass their security measures (credit or criminal), I would not be allowed to work on their site.

Realize that a lot is situational. If one is seeking a job and has already filed BK, try to do your homework in advance as to their hiring processes; educate yourself as to the agency/company. If the BK bothers you and you feel it may be an issue, or if it is brought up during the interview process, discuss it - that job loss or huge medical bills which required you to file is a good explanation. Also, as stated by Recessionist (great posting), as time goes on more employers will realize more folks have gone under in this economy and that they truly don't want to let a good prospective employee go just because they had to file BK to survive.

BK on a credit report in the past (and even now) unfortunately has the stigma to many employers that the filer is irresponsible and cannot handle their finances and, therefore, those traits could be passed on at a job especially if the applicant is a "job hopper." It may also indicate to them that the applicant may have a higher interest in embezzlement if they have encountered financial problems that they could not handle in the past. These stigmas are due to how BK was realized by most people who never had to file and the stigma that most people filing BK just go crazy with credit and are irresponsible. While all of us know we would never go into a new position and embezzle funds, create fraudulent accounts, steal proprietary information, etc., etc., those stigmas are still in place.

On Good Morning America yesterday there was a great segment as to doing your resume online or now on a business card to hand out. It was indicated never to put your photo on your resume, online or a card due to the "discrimination" that still exists out there. If the prospective employer doesn't like what you look like, they just won't respond. Right there goes to show you and that was on TV on 4/17/09. The same applies as to a prospective employer seeing the BK on one's background check. They donn't have to hire you if they don't want to and if there is another applicant with similar skills with no BK on their records, the employer in that situation would probably go with the non-BK applicant. That's just the way it is out there. However, if one is on the job and has to file BK, you are protected by law and cannot be fired just for filing BK. Proving it mighit be difficult if there are other factors (i.e., job performance if you take off a lot of personal time due to the BK or are on the phone a lot, or the financial problems affect your job performance) but you cannot be fired just for filing BK.

Just do one's homework in the hiring process, research, be prepared and be open and honest.

[jribe]

i appreciate all the answers, thanks everyone!