Background Investigations and credit issues

[Gilroy22]

I am pretty confident in my background except for one thing: credit. I am still young, 22, and dont plan on applying for a couple of years, since I would like to finish my bachelor's degree before I go in. About a year and a half ago, I ran into some trouble with two credit cards. At the time, I was living on my own, working, and going to college(although my parents did send money my way for rent, etc.) it was still somewhat hard for me to manage my finances. I basically overextended myself and have since learned from my mistakes. I am now paying off those two credit cards, both of which were delinquent, and are with a collection agency. I also currently have one card in good standing, as I know that good credit is extremely important, no matter what career you plan to go into. I am wondering how this will effect my application. When I apply, it will have probably been about three years since I had the problem, but its still there. I talked to an officer when I went on a ride along a month ago. He served as a BI for about a year. He said as long as you close out the accounts, work on improving your credit, and be honest and upfront, you should not have a problem. I definitely believe him, but it still hangs over my head a little bit, as I know that the process is extremely competitive. I would really appreciate some insight to this matter, either from a BI or an officer. Oh yeah, and an unrelated question. I have two people, one active officer and one retired officer, who want to recommend me when I apply. How much wieght does this carry during the process? Thanks for your help!

[CaliforniaHighwayPatrol]

I have a total of about 4 credit cards. All 4 are close to being maxed out, but I am on my way to paying them off. I have never had a late payment, and never paid the minium. I am only 19, I made the mistake when I first became unemployed. BEAWARE of credit cards!!!! My credit score is about 610.

[Kojak]

Gilroy,

I'm neither an officer nor a BI but I can tell you that your credit history is one of many factors that your BI will use to evaluate your suitability as an officer. Most people will tell you that how you handle your finances is indicative of how you handle other aspects of your life. So, the simplistic answer to your question is if your were irresponsible with your credit your BI can assume that you were probably irresponsible with other aspects of your life. Of course, this may or may not be true (and I'm guessing it's probably not). The good news is that your BI will most likely not see the issue with your credit in such simplistic terms but rather evaluate it along with all the other information he/she has about you. This is why it is important to be completely honest and forthcoming during all phases of the testing process so that your honesty and integrity are never brought into question. Personally, I had the same kind of credit challenges you had at about your same age too. (Credit card applications should be banned from college campuses!!!!!!) I have since improved my credit but it never became an issue with my BI because I was upfront about it and I had changed my ways.

On a side note...I'm a little biased but the CHP is by far the most professional and respectable LE agency in the state (or country as far as I'm concerned) which you probably agree with given your interset in applying. This is evident throughout the hiring process and as long as you afford the department the same professionalism and respect by being HONEST and FORTHCOMING in the process you will be given a fair shake and welcomed with open arms into the CHP family (as long as you are squared away, of course).

As far as your recommendations go.... I don't think their recommendations will do much until you get to the BI phase. But once you get there the word of these officers will probably carry a lot of weight with your BI, especially if the officers know you really well.

Hope this helps, sorry if I ranted.

[Gilroy22]

thanks for the input I think it did help. So how far did you get in the process? Did u pass the background? Yeah when I began to pay them off, things did get a little hard. It got harder to pay my rent, I was working over 40 hours a week sometimes, so my grades began to drop. I finally decided that the only way to solve the problem is to move home and kind of start over. So here I am, finishing my degree and improving my credit. I think that the credit portion is really the only trouble I had. I did well and was well respected at my previous job, and I believe that I am a very responsible person besides that one little "hiccup" I had in my life. So I think after all is said and done, after two more years or so when I begin the application process, I should have my bachelors degree under my belt, and my finances back in order. Thanks for your advice :smile:

[dw]

I am pretty confident in my background except for one thing: credit. I am still young, 22, and dont plan on applying for a couple of years, since I would like to finish my bachelor's degree before I go in. About a year and a half ago, I ran into some trouble with two credit cards. At the time, I was living on my own, working, and going to college(although my parents did send money my way for rent, etc.) it was still somewhat hard for me to manage my finances. I basically overextended myself and have since learned from my mistakes. I am now paying off those two credit cards, both of which were delinquent, and are with a collection agency. I also currently have one card in good standing, as I know that good credit is extremely important, no matter what career you plan to go into. I am wondering how this will effect my application. When I apply, it will have probably been about three years since I had the problem, but its still there. I talked to an officer when I went on a ride along a month ago. He served as a BI for about a year. He said as long as you close out the accounts, work on improving your credit, and be honest and upfront, you should not have a problem. I definitely believe him, but it still hangs over my head a little bit, as I know that the process is extremely competitive. I would really appreciate some insight to this matter, either from a BI or an officer. Oh yeah, and an unrelated question. I have two people, one active officer and one retired officer, who want to recommend me when I apply. How much wieght does this carry during the process? Thanks for your help!

Sounds like you're on the right track and already doing everything I would have suggested. As hopeful said, credit will be used a component to evaluate your character, but it is not the sole issue.