Background Advice

[kevf1986]

To start off, my name is Kevin, I am 24 years old and currently a resident in the state of Connecticut. My lifelong ambition since the age of 13 was to become a police officer. To show my interest and desire I joined police explorer program in my town for a period of 8 years and held every rank. Once graduating high school where I did very well, I was hired in security where I was promoted as the youngest supervisor ever to work at the large inner city mall where I was employed. I received a commendation from the chief of police of the local city department for assisting duty officers with apprehending a robbery suspect. From there I also got hired at a town police department dispatching, and then on in a more advanced public safety job handling very close to actual police type matters with everything except a firearm. Sounds very good huh?

Well, I have some concerns about applying for a law enforcement agency. I am aware that departments are very selective, and some departments may be more lenient with various things than others. I am concerned with 5 basic areas and ask very honest and constructive feedback :

1)Credit history. I was roommates with my sister in 2006. When she passed away from cancer I was stuck with some heavy financial responsibilities. I'm in the middle of bankruptcy to clear up past issues. I'm currently working full-time, making all payments on time and living comfortably.
2) Job termination; Terminated from job for reported job related mistakes(every issue was circumstantial, there was no proof or evidence to substantiate any claim, and I fought their decision as I had never once been terminated from any job. Department of Labor investigated and found in favor of my claim of false termination. No other behaviors from previous employments or current employment to suggest character or work related troubles(except this one)
3)In 2008 I transferred from one police explorer agency to another. With 8 years in the first one with no problems, I transferred without any problems to the other. I became very comfortable, and even became roommates with one of the veteran explorer/advisors. After that person failed to financially contribute to living expenses, I moved out. Shortly thereafter I received a letter and was asked not to return to the explorer program in that town-pretty sure the rocky relationship outside the program resulted in my separation. 8 strong years in one explorer program then a few months ruined by another. Still looks bad however you look at it, but I'm confident it was a dumb issue.
4) Prescribed antidepressant in the past following the passing of my sister. No longer prescribed them and free from any other health or medical issues
5) Terrible swimmer-somewhat fearful of deep water

I have such a solid past, and though I have no criminal history, a clean driving history, never used drugs, and also have a lot of experience in the field I'm sure the above circumstances will pose some question or appear as inconsistency in the stability of my personal behaviors. Any ideas or recommendations? I have no intent but to be 100 % honest about every situation, especially the parts where I have shown immaturity, and poor decision making. I'm sure these things will not look great or will not be the best parts of my background, but I know I have not done anything to completely or permanently disqualify myself or my chances of getting hired somewhere. I'm nearing 25, married, have a beautiful son, and am sure that I can prove that I have turned things around immensley. I thank you for reading and appreciate the feedback.

[retdetsgt]

The only problem I see is the bankruptcy. But that's a killer for my department.

[Creeker]

I am at a loss as to how you were made responsible for her medical bills? How did you become responsible?

[mcsap]

Bankruptcy and the anti-depressants caught my eye.

But for both , it's all how you got them , dealt with them and where are you now ? The rest is pretty much a NON-issue.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Bankruptcy and the anti-depressants caught my eye.

But for both , it's all how you got them , dealt with them and where are you now ? The rest is pretty much a NON-issue.

This. And as you say, the devil is in the datails.

[retdetsgt]

With us, the anti-depressants might be negotiable depending on what our doctors tell us. The bankruptcy would not. A friend of mine with another department went through one after a messy divorce and then tried to lateral onto mine. They never got passed reading about it on his application and he had what was otherwise a pretty sterling background and police experience to offer.

[kevf1986]

I am at a loss as to how you were made responsible for her medical bills? How did you become responsible?

Never said I was held responsible for her medical bills. Being that we were roommates we shared daily living expenses; rent, utilities,etc. etc. My sister was only 31 and passed away from cancer with little or no estate. Coming from a middle class family and only working a security job you can imagine how expenses and costs of living can add up very quickly-managing half of those expenses then juggling my own personal expenses, credit cards, car insurance payments, etc. etc, it was not easy and became very difficult to manage. Department where I got hired as a dispatcher passed me through the background and credit check without any trouble but then again that was for a dispatcher job. Moving into a house with a family member was not an option for me at that particular point. I can see how you would examine it under that concern. The biggest thing for me is what am I doing to show that despite the bankruptcy which is a serious cause for concern, what am I doing now to show that it is now a non-issue? Not sure how I can prove that now, one thing I know is that all my payments are on time for everything right now. Additionally, I am currently working in a job where I am constantly handling money. I think showing that I am in a position where I am handling money and very expensive products can support my desire to hold a position of public trust such as a police officer-but then again I'm not the background investigator and I'm not making the decision. I think my best bet right now will be to continue working and making payments on time with everything, continue a physical fitness workout to stay in shape, and begin applying to large city departments that struggle to find candidates. In the real world, police departments never lower standards to get certain applicants, but smaller more political departments I'm told can afford to be more picky over certain things.

[retdetsgt]

You took on your sister's bills because you wanted to. You were not legally responsible for them. That was a kind thing to do, but unfortunately foolish if you couldn't afford to pay them.

I can't speak for every department out there, but again mine would not hire you especially if you are in the middle of or just finished a bankruptcy for any reason. I gave an example of a police officer who was otherwise very qualified, but turned down because of one about three years prior.

You can apply and see what happens, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[kevf1986]

You took on your sister's bills because you wanted to. You were not legally responsible for them. That was a kind thing to do, but unfortunately foolish if you couldn't afford to pay them.

I can't speak for every department out there, but again mine would not hire you especially if you are in the middle of or just finished a bankruptcy for any reason. I gave an example of a police officer who was otherwise very qualified, but turned down because of one about three years prior.

You can apply and see what happens, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I didn't take on my sister's bills. When you are roommates with someone you split things down the middle. If they pass away which is an act of god, and you are suddenly left to cover everything by yourself, it is a terrible situation to be in. Don't think any of you are seeing the situation. I was never given a choice to pay my sister's bills. I'm talking about general living expenses, it wasn't really a choice if I wanted a roof over my head I had to pay what was necessary to survive. Anybody who is suddenly put in that position I feel may have the same difficulty. With all the police officers getting hired and terminated for misconduct, sexual crimes, and everything else I think credit analysis is something that should be reviewed on a case by case basis. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth. If I can substantiate the cause of my credit issues and have done everything else to turn everything around I don't think it should cause a demise to my application. But thats my opinion.

On another note, we come on here and ask for honest advice and criticism. Not for negative or rude feedback. My sister died of cancer which I ofcourse had no control of and regardless if I was left to cover living expenses alone, its an unfortunate circumstance that contributed to my bad credit and if thats how you or your department evaluates someone's loss or misfortune I don't think I would apply there anyways. Not everything comes down to a choice. I've met cops that were reformed alcoholics. If they can get hired following alcohol problems then I don't see where overcoming credit problems should block someone's chances of getting hired altogether. Aside from that I noticed you live in Oregon. I'm in Connecticut, maybe hiring practices are a little bit different out there. As soon as I stop seeing police officers getting arrested for things on the front page of every newspaper then I'll have faith in the hiring practices of a department. For now I think the concerns of departments conducting background investigation on portential candidates and the outcome or success of every officer speaks for itself.

[retdetsgt]

Maybe if paying your sister's half of the living expenses took you to bankruptcy, maybe you didn't manage your money very well. Perhaps you should have moved into cheaper lodgings when your sister couldn't pay her half any more. That kind of judgement alone doesn't say much for you. I ran into financial difficulties when I was young too, but I changed things so I could live within my means. I never came close to bankruptcy either.

A credit problem is not the same as bankruptcy. And even credit problems DQ people all over the US. Frankly, I thought more of you when I thought you paid your sister's medical bills. If basic living expenses threw you into bankruptcy, that's pretty unimpressive.

And maybe you're sounding like a mad little 6 year old talking about ALL the cops that have been fired. The maturity level of that last post would disqualify you I suspect if most police psychologists read it.

You come here, ask a legitimate question, get legitimate answers and when you don't hear what you like you throw a little snit fit. Yeah, I'm in Oregon, but Oregon's police standards are pretty much the same as everyone else's. I doubt Connecticut is interested in whining people who can't pay their bills either. I've sat on a lot of hiring boards and people like you get a smile and a finger pointing towards the door.

But again, go apply, who cares? But don't get pissy with us because you don't like the truth.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I didn't take on my sister's bills. When you are roommates with someone you split things down the middle. If they pass away which is an act of god, and you are suddenly left to cover everything by yourself, it is a terrible situation to be in. Don't think any of you are seeing the situation. I was never given a choice to pay my sister's bills. I'm talking about general living expenses, it wasn't really a choice if I wanted a roof over my head I had to pay what was necessary to survive. Anybody who is suddenly put in that position I feel may have the same difficulty. With all the police officers getting hired and terminated for misconduct, sexual crimes, and everything else I think credit analysis is something that should be reviewed on a case by case basis. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth. If I can substantiate the cause of my credit issues and have done everything else to turn everything around I don't think it should cause a demise to my application. But thats my opinion.

On another note, we come on here and ask for honest advice and criticism. Not for negative or rude feedback. My sister died of cancer which I of course had no control of and regardless if I was left to cover living expenses alone, its an unfortunate circumstance that contributed to my bad credit and if thats how you or your department evaluates someone's loss or misfortune I don't think I would apply there anyways. Not everything comes down to a choice. I've met cops that were reformed alcoholics. If they can get hired following alcohol problems then I don't see where overcoming credit problems should block someone's chances of getting hired altogether. Aside from that I noticed you live in Oregon. I'm in Connecticut, maybe hiring practices are a little bit different out there. As soon as I stop seeing police officers getting arrested for things on the front page of every newspaper then I'll have faith in the hiring practices of a department. For now I think the concerns of departments conducting background investigation on portential candidates and the outcome or success of every officer speaks for itself.

Who is "we"? As to asking for honest advice and criticism but not negative or rude feedback, what if the honest advice is negative in nature? You seem predisposed to only be open to touchy-feely pats on the head type of posting. Also there is a large divide between being rude and being blunt. If you are honest with yourself, and re-read all the replies, not a one has been rude to you.

[kevf1986]

Maybe if paying your sister's half of the living expenses took you to bankruptcy, maybe you didn't manage your money very well. Perhaps you should have moved into cheaper lodgings when your sister couldn't pay her half any more. That kind of judgement alone doesn't say much for you. I ran into financial difficulties when I was young too, but I changed things so I could live within my means. I never came close to bankruptcy either.

A credit problem is not the same as bankruptcy. And even credit problems DQ people all over the US. Frankly, I thought more of you when I thought you paid your sister's medical bills. If basic living expenses threw you into bankruptcy, that's pretty unimpressive.

And maybe you're sounding like a mad little 6 year old talking about ALL the cops that have been fired. The maturity level of that last post would disqualify you I suspect if most police psychologists read it.

You come here, ask a legitimate question, get legitimate answers and when you don't hear what you like you throw a little snit fit. Yeah, I'm in Oregon, but Oregon's police standards are pretty much the same as everyone else's. I doubt Connecticut is interested in whining people who can't pay their bills either. I've sat on a lot of hiring boards and people like you get a smile and a finger pointing towards the door.

But again, go apply, who cares? But don't get pissy with us because you don't like the truth.

Snit fit? Don't pay my bills? I went into chapter 13 which means I have to repay my creditors-didn't escape it all. To be honest, if you put that much effort into candidates at your own department I feel sorry for anyone applying. I have worked at a sworn police department before as a civilian, I'm welll aware of what the standards are. I came on here for advice not your quick drawn conclusions based on your own opinions and unprofessional commentary. I've observed you on other posts telling people not to hold their breath, calling people pot heads, and threatening to kick people off the site because they put cop in their screen name. If you worked in the city where I'm from my guess would be if thats how fast you place judgement on candidates they would be appealing their rejections from you and getting hired daily. You were able to draw all those conclusions about me and my personality because you didn't like what I had to say in my previous post. I asked for criticism, not disrespect. I'm done using this site because I think you are utilizing it to be rude to prospective police applicants which is not what it should be meant for. And on another note, you interpreted that I paid my sister's medical bills in two previous posts. I never typed that anywhere in any post-did you even read it carefully? I majored in English literature so writing and reading comprehension is in my nature-I thought it would be for a police detective sergeant too. My uncle is a Master Sergeant, I will call him for the same advice I didn't get from you. Instead of telling me not to hold my breath he might actually give me some real advice. It wasn't the fact that you gave me your honest opinion, I just think you were rude about it. And as for your opinion with avoiding bankruptcy, clearly you weren't in the same situation as I was losing my sister to cancer. Making quicking decisions during grieving times aren't easy, and your unsympathetic responses don't say much for you either. Have a nice day pal.

[Citicop]

The OP is clearly not interested in our opinions as long as they aren't what they want to hear. Since he says he's done, there's no reason to keep this open any longer.

-Citicop.