Debt Collection Process

Would a bankruptcy prevent you from getting a job in law enforcement?

I know this varies from department to department, but from your experiences and knowledge, will a bankruptcy in the last seven years immediately disqualify an applicant for a job in law enforcement?

Public Comments

1. Having a bad credit rating makes you more of a risk for taking bribes. I'd vote for a bunch of unpaid debts being worse than a bankruptcy that makes them go away. The sheriff in my county declared bankruptcy before being hired by the department he now heads.
2. Technically, no. But a lot of places now use credit checks to determine if someone is responsible or not. It should not be done but it is preventing some people from being hired. I don't think doing a credit check on someone is enough to determine this. I think references and other things should stand out first, as you don't know what someone's circumstances are or what may have led them to have "bad" credit.
3. Surely they would look further into your background, as to why you declared yourself bankrupt in the first place. If any criminal offences came to light via this process, your career would end right there. It would probably show the police that you are (possibly) un-trustworthy, un-responsible... Again that all depends on the circumstances. You can try.
4. Our department is like almost all others... we do credit checks. A poor credit is a disqualifier. They will also look into the reason. A life changing event such as divorce or company downsizing will be given more consideration than a history of poor spending decisions. If you had a reasonable explanation, and it happened long enough ago where you are reestablishing your credit, you will still be considered.
5. yes