Question Will Bankruptcy affect a Potential Career in Law Enforcement?

[carbk]

I filed bankruptcy in 2008. I will graduate with a degree in criminal justice in 2012. Once graduated, I was hoping to pursue a career in law enforcement but I am afraid my bankruptcy will affect my chance of getting hired. I do understand you go through a thorough background check which includes a credit check. Anyone have any info as far as if this is true? Any info would help. Thanks

[AngelinaCatHub]

All things being equal, it should not make any difference. Your background check is for any criminal or civil violations such as habitual car accidents, suits, or theft.

In this era of poor jobs and losses, bk is becoming a very common thing. Now, understand, your job determination all depends on how far you get into the interview, and the personal feelings of the person who hires you. That is the human element you will never be able to count on. Getting the interview is the bottom line in any job, then you must sell yourself on your own merits. Go in with an air of confidence and well groomed with an extreme polite attitude. Be generous with your smile. Convince the person that that particular department is the only one you ever wished to join, and mean it.

I've hired a few in the past. Fired a few too. I was most impressed with sincerity. 'Hub

[potsie834]

Yes, Bankruptcy can affect your chances of getting a job in Law Enforcement. Unfortunately for those who file BK, law enforcement agencies (background investigators) look at BK negatively because in their eyes it shows a lack of character, responsibility, and principles. In addition, law enforcement agencies would be concerned that an applicant with financial issues (bankruptcy) could be more easily bribed, and more tempted to steal money since law enforcement officers have a greater opportunity to come into contact with lots of money (drug money/found property/prisoner money). With that being said, it does not necessarily mean that a person who filed bankruptcy would not be offered a job; I guess it would have to be looked at on a case by case basis. Good Luck!

[Flamingo]

Go to the Bankruptcy Credit and News Forum - there is a thread in there that discusses the practice of credit reports being used and the recent news indicating a possible banning of the practice. Chock full of good info for you. Be prepared to confront the situation of a BK on your credit reports as you will allow them with your signature to run a background check and more than likely a credit check when you sign your employment application. Investigate their hiring practices beforehand. Best of luck to you.

[gmk]

In the hiring process many things come into play. Some organizations may, like it or not, have automatic blackballs, financial affairs could be one. This may be more prevalent in organizations where their vetting process is very deep as in security clearances, etc., perhaps law enforcement. Most organizations forgo the black and white view and if they really want you then the financial blackballs mean little. If they're on the fence about a candidate, then the negatives become important.

Throughout my career I've been hiring folks all my life and even before credit checking came into the equation, I'd simply ask the candidate about their financial condition, not as a black and white type question but to sense the response. A little bit of back and forth on the subject can turn up far more on the stability of the candidate than a credit rating score. I've hired top level folks who have gone BK and not. In business, people have tried to do their own business thing, failed and are back in the job market. Answers to what and why can be insightful.

Personally, I would rather hire someone who is not financially encumbered than one who is. However, if the hiring process does check credit reports as a condition of hiring, it's the candidates job to try and get past the checklist type screeners and on to the decision maker where it may be possible to say to the hiring manager/officer that you're not debt encumbered. Everyday people stick their hand in the till because they feel they need to (debts, gambling, etc) as much or more as they may want to. Parlayed right it could be a plus or a well mitigated negative.

Good luck.

[logansdad]

Dallas Metro is BK friendly.

[carbk]

Yes, Bankruptcy can affect your chances of getting a job in Law Enforcement. Unfortunately for those who file BK, law enforcement agencies (background investigators) look at BK negatively because in their eyes it shows a lack of character, responsibility, and principles. In addition, law enforcement agencies would be concerned that an applicant with financial issues (bankruptcy) could be more easily bribed, and more tempted to steal money since law enforcement officers have a greater opportunity to come into contact with lots of money (drug money/found property/prisoner money). With that being said, it does not necessarily mean that a person who filed bankruptcy would not be offered a job; I guess it would have to be looked at on a case by case basis. Good Luck!

This is exactly what I am concerned about because what you said makes total sense. Even though an applicant with financial issues could be more easily bribed/tempted, I've known numerous people who don't have enough money to eat and yet they would never steal a penny, but like others said on here it will most likely depend on the interviewer and their feel for you charcter. Although it would kind of suck for the applicant (me) to get automatically disqualified without even a chance at an interview only because of the BK on my credit report. I guess I won't know until I apply, either that or wait 8 more years to apply (the BK should be off the credit report by then) but then still if the interviewer asks me if I have ever filed for BK I would have to say the truth

Thanks everyone for helpful insight

[forgotten]

In addition, law enforcement agencies would be concerned that an applicant with financial issues (bankruptcy) could be more easily bribed, and more tempted to steal money since law enforcement officers have a greater opportunity to come into contact with lots of money (drug money/found property/prisoner money).

I hate that some people have that mindset.
If you really think about it, who would really be more likely to take the money? The person who already filed bankruptcy and no has no debt or the person who is struggling to pay all their bills and make ends meet?

It all comes down to the individual anyway, not their financial situation (which is all a credit report really shows you).

No one is going to see 20 million in cash laying on the ground and go, "what the heck would I want that for? I'm not bankrupt!"

[carbk]

I hate that some people have that mindset.
If you really think about it, who would really be more likely to take the money? The person who already filed bankruptcy and no has no debt or the person who is struggling to pay all their bills and make ends meet?

It all comes down to the individual anyway, not their financial situation (which is all a credit report really shows you).

No one is going to see 20 million in cash laying on the ground and go, "what the heck would I want that for? I'm not bankrupt!"

That is exactly true. I wish my interviewer has your mentality

[Flamingo]

This is exactly what I am concerned about because what you said makes total sense. Even though an applicant with financial issues could be more easily bribed/tempted, I've known numerous people who don't have enough money to eat and yet they would never steal a penny, but like others said on here it will most likely depend on the interviewer and their feel for you charcter. Although it would kind of suck for the applicant (me) to get automatically disqualified without even a chance at an interview only because of the BK on my credit report. I guess I won't know until I apply, either that or wait 8 more years to apply (the BK should be off the credit report by then) but then still if the interviewer asks me if I have ever filed for BK I would have to say the truth

Thanks everyone for helpful insight

Filing BK puts one in the "risk" category for many situations...otherwise it would not be noted on one's credit report for such a long period of time. Many people just cannot control money, finances or impulses - they continue onward after filing eventually racking up more debt and may become serial filers, using bankruptcy as a budgeting tool. Then there are those that get stuck in an economic situation and get sucked down the drain after losing a job, a major medical occurance, nasty divorce, etc., etc. and have no choice but to file. Unfortunately, risk is based on a pool of information so those that would never think of using the system or even think about going back into debt get tossed into the pool with those that would. Prior to these bad times, filing bankrtupcy was not a thing too many people did and it was associated with poor financial judgment, lack of control, living beyond one's means and having to have it all at the expense of others. That gave the risk pool a bad image which still stands to this day. Unfortunately that pool is not like a racing form where one can weed out the bad performers and bet on the possible winners. A lot falls on the shoulders of the person themselves as to how they present themselves, their background, their situation and their work ethic. If you are concerned about getting hired, fully investigate the Department's hiring practices before applying; at any interview express your concerns that you are worried about what the BK may look like but also express how you have turned yourself around since that time by taking courses and bettering yourself. You can bet that information will make you shine as you sell yourself.

Best of luck to you - I think you have a good chance of getting your desired position with your extra proactiveness and mindset after filing.

[bulletproof77]

I have been with the CHP for over 20 years...I have sat on oral boards and done background investigations in Sacramento. I have also declared bankruptcy due to life's circumstances. I find the comment that BK makes you susceptible to bribery extremely offensive. BK IS NOT a character fault and any agency that does not consider the circumstances is in my humble opinion, not worth working for. During my career I have known State, Federal and local law enforcement people who have had to file BK and NONE would ever consider for an instant selling their career to pay a bill...We have found that NOT filing for bankruptcy (when necessary) could lead to much worse. Go for your law enforcement career. Be HONEST ABOUT EVERYTHING during your interviews and background investigation. I used to look for the "little things" in an applicant's background that would tell me more about him/her than some of the more major life issues. I would tend to look at a background as a whole. Life happens, you don't have to walk on water. A thief is a thief and anyone can be one, BK or NO BK...On a lighter note: Don't do as one potential cadet did at his oral board. When asked why he wanted to join the Highway Patrol he looked at all three of us and stated "I just LOVE lights and sirens".....Needless to say he didn't make it past the initial interview...Good luck with your career choice.

[justbroke]

The compulsory lie detector test is much more "telling" than whether you have a BK on your credit report. What is more telling about your character can be just interviewing neighbors, former employers, college professors and friends.

[carbk]

Filing BK puts one in the "risk" category for many situations...otherwise it would not be noted on one's credit report for such a long period of time. Many people just cannot control money, finances or impulses - they continue onward after filing eventually racking up more debt and may become serial filers, using bankruptcy as a budgeting tool. Then there are those that get stuck in an economic situation and get sucked down the drain after losing a job, a major medical occurance, nasty divorce, etc., etc. and have no choice but to file. Unfortunately, risk is based on a pool of information so those that would never think of using the system or even think about going back into debt get tossed into the pool with those that would. Prior to these bad times, filing bankrtupcy was not a thing too many people did and it was associated with poor financial judgment, lack of control, living beyond one's means and having to have it all at the expense of others. That gave the risk pool a bad image which still stands to this day. Unfortunately that pool is not like a racing form where one can weed out the bad performers and bet on the possible winners. A lot falls on the shoulders of the person themselves as to how they present themselves, their background, their situation and their work ethic. If you are concerned about getting hired, fully investigate the Department's hiring practices before applying; at any interview express your concerns that you are worried about what the BK may look like but also express how you have turned yourself around since that time by taking courses and bettering yourself. You can bet that information will make you shine as you sell yourself.

Best of luck to you - I think you have a good chance of getting your desired position with your extra proactiveness and mindset after filing.

Thank you very much

[carbk]

I have been with the CHP for over 20 years...I have sat on oral boards and done background investigations in Sacramento. I have also declared bankruptcy due to life's circumstances. I find the comment that BK makes you susceptible to bribery extremely offensive. BK IS NOT a character fault and any agency that does not consider the circumstances is in my humble opinion, not worth working for. During my career I have known State, Federal and local law enforcement people who have had to file BK and NONE would ever consider for an instant selling their career to pay a bill...We have found that NOT filing for bankruptcy (when necessary) could lead to much worse. Go for your law enforcement career. Be HONEST ABOUT EVERYTHING during your interviews and background investigation. I used to look for the "little things" in an applicant's background that would tell me more about him/her than some of the more major life issues. I would tend to look at a background as a whole. Life happens, you don't have to walk on water. A thief is a thief and anyone can be one, BK or NO BK...On a lighter note: Don't do as one potential cadet did at his oral board. When asked why he wanted to join the Highway Patrol he looked at all three of us and stated "I just LOVE lights and sirens".....Needless to say he didn't make it past the initial interview...Good luck with your career choice.

Thanks for your valuable insight! The CHP is actually the department that I would like to work for. I am set to graduate in 2012 with a degree in Criminal Justice and I am working really hard to be able to afford school myself since I don't qualify for financial aid. I was worried about the BK affecting my chances of getting hired which had me re-considering whether I should continue going to school. After reading what you had to say, I feel motivated to continue forward and pursue my dream career. Thanks again!

[bulletproof77]

That's great ! Glad to hear you are considering us as your career choice. It is a great agency with a lot of possibilities. The Academy is tough as it should be and your initial one year probation period is no picnic either. Your first assignments are usually not in the most desirable areas either. Usually in Southern California cadets are assigned to either Baldwin Park or a station in the Los Angeles area. In the Bay area, it's usually Oakland. After a year you can put in for a transfer to other areas. There's different jobs you may be interested in such as Air-Ops, EMS, Commercial Enforcement, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement etc. etc. It's never boring though !