Hiring Credit Question

[crawfish963]

Hello, and here's hoping you can help me. I am 25 years old and about to enter our regional police academy in January. This academy is not through our city or county agency, but rather is a pay-for academy where you come out TCLOSE certified (Texas Peace Officer). I then plan on applying to work at my local Sheriff's Department. Here's my situation:

-I am a police dispatcher for the police department in my hometown, which is within the county of the SO that I want to apply to.
-Absolutely 0 criminal history, 0 drug use (not even marijuaua)
-Clean driving record for over 6 years, no moving violations or wrecks
-As of December 2009, I will have a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice
-When I apply I will be a certified peace officer
-I have the following debt:

-$80,000 in student loans, current and have never been delinquent
-$20,000 car loan, also paid current and has never been delinquent
-$4,000 in credit card debt, has been past due due to being laid off from a higher paying job, is now currently in credit counseling and current.

What I'm afraid of is that my credit issues will keep me from being hired. The good news is that I would qualify to have most of my student loans forgiven though the federal loan forgiveness for public service program. The SO's disqualification sheet lists "Bad Debt" as a disqualifier and from reading other forum's around the internet, it seems like most people don't have too much of a problem with mortgages/student loans so long as they are current.

Any thoughts on how much of a problem this could be for me? Thanks in advance, glad to be here.

[crawfish963]

I should add that I know a lot of this depends on the agency's standards and a case-by-case basis. I guess what I'm looking for is a "would you hire me?" type answer.

I believe, personally, that getting my degree and paying my way through the academy, etc. shows that I'm dedicated.

[PhilipCal]

You probably realize that the specific answer to your question has to come from the Agency you've applied to. It will be determined by the standards they have in place at the time. I'll hazard a very general reply to your questions. Any history of late pay,(delinquint accounts), accounts charged off, or referred to collections will be detrimental to you. What will be of critical importance is the manner in which you are discharging your debts at the time you apply. Hope this helps, and I hope things work out for you. Good luck.

[crawfish963]

Yes I understand it's going to come down to the agency's standards and assessment, and thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

I am hoping that my dispatch experience, lack on criminal and drug history, etc. will work in my favor as mitigating factors. I guess I'll find out.

[NJbornARmade]

Crawfish I think you will be ok. I also had late payments on my report but then showed that I was current with a recent credit report (which they will ask you for). I am being hired in Rogers, Ar if that helps at all.

[SleepyCop]

Yes I understand it's going to come down to the agency's standards and assessment, and thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

I am hoping that my dispatch experience, lack on criminal and drug history, etc. will work in my favor as mitigating factors. I guess I'll find out.

Be prepared to explain the reason for the debt in it's entirety. I don't think this will be fatal; especially since you're setting up a credit counseling for the delinquent accounts.

Good luck.

-SC

[crawfish963]

Thank you for your responses. My initial interview is on Tuesday; hopefully it will go well.

[TexasAggieOfc]

Depending on where you are in Texas, credit doesn't even come into play.

[LAChief]

I guess what I'm looking for is a "would you hire me?" type answer.

If what you have described is absolutely correct, then yes, I would have no problem in hiring you.....and I am one picky SOB!

[crawfish963]

Depending on where you are in Texas, credit doesn't even come into play.

I'm in the Panhandle area. I had my initial interview today, and the officer's reaction was "yikes" when he saw the amount, but upon seeing that everything was current he moved on without really saying much. I get WHY credit is looked at, it's just such a PITA.

It took hard work and perseverance to keep a 0 drug use/criminal record, good employment record, ect. and to have it all nullified due to minor credit issues would be frustrating.

[kc12]

Back four or five years ago I would say your late payments might have been an issue. Now since the economy is in the tank and many people were fired or laid off, through no fault of their own, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

[crawfish963]

Just an update on my process, I was accepted into the academy pending a physical, drug and psychological test, none of which I'm worried about. Thanks everyone for your help.