Should I even bother pursuing this career?

[cbax21]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Its been a dream of mine since I was a kid to become a police officer. Lately I have been really looking into it and thinking about going back to school to get a degree in criminal justice. Before I go all out with the schooling I wanted to get your opinions if I have a shot or not at becoming a police officer. I am 25 years old. I have never been arrested. The only thing I have is a no insurance ticket on my driving record. I've never done drugs. I don't drink alcohol.I have a solid work history. Never been fired. I'm worried about my credit though. A few years ago I bought a new car (Ford Focus). While I had the car I quit my job and accepted a job up in Alaska on a trawler thinking I would make a ton of money to pay the car off. Boy was I ever wrong. It was so bad I had to move back to my parents house and call the bank that owned the car to come pick it up/voluntary repossession because I couldn't afford to make the $522 a month payment. I'm in the process of paying off the rest of the car loan which is around $4,000. Biggest mistake of my life. The only other thing I have on my credit is a credit card that I fell behind on. That one is all squared away now. So, as you can tell my credit is terrible. Do you guys think it is terrible enough that a police department wouldn't accept me? Thanks for your help.

[mikecrazy]

$522 a month for a Ford Focus. Boy you got robbed.

[Big Sexy]

$522 a month for a Ford Focus. Boy you got robbed.

Robbed?? Hell, he got bound, gagged and sodimized. :D

[jerry40]

$522 a month for a Ford Focus. Boy you got robbed.

Hes prob bleeding from the rectum.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

It's department dependant, whether your credit will hurt your hiring chances. I am processing one right now that was rejected by a neighboring department for nothing other than credit issues.

[mcsap]

The brighter your other attributes shine, the dimmer your credit issue will be.

[cbax21]

The brighter your other attributes shine, the dimmer your credit issue will be.

Thats what I'm hoping for. If I do follow through with this I plan on learning Spanish and sign language before I apply anywhere.

[Roger Dat]

If you want to be a cop learn spanish. I carry a translator for the deaf at all times called pen and paper. Spanish is much more practical and will be looked on favorably.

[cbax21]

It's department dependant, whether your credit will hurt your hiring chances. I am processing one right now that was rejected by a neighboring department for nothing other than credit issues.

If you were processing me, what would you say about my chances?

[mikecrazy]

If you were processing me, what would you say about my chances?

I would ask if the Ford Focus gave you a handjob while driving for that price.

[Creeker]

Two suggestions:

Any other degree.

Dave Ramsey.

[Big Sexy]

I would ask if the Ford Focus gave you a handjob while driving for that price.

Dude, you are too phucking funny!!!! :p :p :p :p

[SnapShawt]

I'd say your chances are pretty good. The repo will look bad, but there are two offsetting issues with that: 1) You recognized you wouldn't be able to afford it; 2) You are paying it off instead of just saying oh well, repo, gone. And 3) You squared the credit card away as well. Taking the trawling job and assuming you'd have the money was a mistake (a true mistake for once - it's reasonable to take a job thinking it will pay more and it didn't, and in hindsight realizing things you didn't then).

You've got a good history, you've taken appropriate steps to correct the credit issues. Given what you've told us - apply, and welcome to the job

[GoDirectly2Jail]

If you were processing me, what would you say about my chances?

IT'S DEPARTMENT DEPENDANT. I would be processing you, because my agency cares very little about credit issues. The neighboring department would probably be passing on you.

Oh, and it's department dependant.

Did I mention it's department dependant?

In case you need more help, you probably need to contact the specific agency for which you are enquiring.