How important is credit when applying?

[shenphong]

I'm currently signed up to take my POST in San Jose next month and have decided to finally take the move into trying to become an officer with SJPD. I'm 26, should have a clean record with 4 traffic speeding tickets from the age range 16-21, all for about 5-10 miles over the speed limit, 3 between highway 120 and 99. Aside from those speeding tickets, the main concern I have is credit.

26 years old, supporting my mother as well as paying my little sister's way through college has left me with some debt, along with student loans. I've been told that credit is important, but not why or how. I'd say my score right now is about 650-710, missed one due date (30 days late) from one student loan after a move, but corrected it immediately once my mail was forwarded.

Should that score be something to worry about? I currently work a fairly well paying job with decent security, so should I just stick to it for another year and pay down my debt as much as I can before applying? I've been with 2 ride alongs with Modesto PD and I've talked to a few retired officers from SF and Oakland, but never really got a decent answer on the whole credit issue.

[Falconis]

It's important, but your case doesn't sound like an automatic disqualifier if that's what you're asking.

Realistically, the answer will all depend on the agency and who's running the background and what they think of your situation.

Think of it this way, you are going to apply for a job that has a lot of opportunities and a lot of temptation. If your financial life is a mess and it can be shown that you can't properly manage your money, why should an agency trust you at all with everything that goes into becoming a cop. If you need more explanation than that, you may want to stick with your current job.

[Falconis]

It's important, but your case doesn't sound like an automatic disqualifier if that's what you're asking.

Realistically, the answer will all depend on the agency and who's running the background and what they think of your situation.

Think of it this way, you are going to apply for a job that has a lot of opportunities and a lot of temptation. If your financial life is a mess and it can be shown that you can't properly manage your money, why should an agency trust you at all with everything that goes into becoming a cop. If you need more explanation than that, you may want to stick with your current job.

[shenphong]

Luckily, its not a mess. Everything has been on time etc. and my college loan is the bulk of it. I was just worried due to the fact I've been told that I should pay off my college loan completely before applying. Not really wanting to wait several years to apply to pay off my 35k student loan.

[Ron-Solo]

The big issues are if you live within your means and are you responsible and pay your bills on time. Sounds like the answer is yes.

Apply

[Falconis]

Luckily, its not a mess. Everything has been on time etc. and my college loan is the bulk of it. I was just worried due to the fact I've been told that I should pay off my college loan completely before applying. Not really wanting to wait several years to apply to pay off my 35k student loan.

yeah that's BS. as long as your making payments you're good.

[shenphong]

I didn't think it'd be an issue (doesn't everyone have student loans?), but that is probably my biggest worry. Honestly, people tell me they'd worry about the possible violence, but I tell them just two months ago, someone tried to stab out my eyes because they were shooting heat beams at them, so how much worse can it be? Honestly, I'm excited. Any recommended readings on studying up for the POST written? I did do the practice test and it seemed very easy. Easier then any writing test I've done in highschool or college.

[Falconis]

as far as POST exams go. No. Don't watch cops or any of those other type of shows. Watch reruns of Jerry Springer and that should give you a good idea of what to expect if you pass everything

[shenphong]

as far as POST exams go. No. Don't watch cops or any of those other type of shows. Watch reruns of Jerry Springer and that should give you a good idea of what to expect if you pass everything

That was my general family life mixed in with a bit of COPS! The Salida Sheriff's department and my family became very well known with each other lol.

[cacop]

Debt itself is not a problem, it is what you do about it.

We hire people all the time with several hundred thosand dollars of debt. How else are you going to buy a house? Same with college.

[shenphong]

Well, I am hoping that my credit record of never missing a problem, my debt being as consistent (not suddenly signing up for 10 credit cards), will work out. Then again, since I signed up to this forum, I've been using my card more often