police officer debt
Some of the main causes of debt are divorce or separation, and work injuries. Unfortunately, these are also all common problems prevalent in the police force.
Fortunately, we can help! Although there may some regulations involving your role in the police force and certain debt solutions, therefore you may be required to inform your employers. However, our trained advisers will explain all of this to you before any kind of agreement is in place.
No matter, it’s important to get your debts under control and take action as soon as possible to prevent things getting worse.
Police Officer Debt Risk
Due to the nature of the work, police officers are considered ‘at risk’ if they are in debt. This is for two reasons;
Firstly, financial problems are considered to increase the risk of corruption in police officers, and open to financial incentives to ‘look away’ from crimes. From past experience, the situations in which you are should inform your employers include:
Unable to repay your debts from income
Bankruptcy
Individual Voluntary Arrangement – IVA
Debt Relief Order – DRO
CCJ
Debt Management Plan – DMP
This is a risk that can be reduced by informing your employer. Failure to inform them may result in disciplinary action.
Secondly, it is thought that it may affect the quality of the officer’s work. Being in debt is a stressful situation, and whilst stressful for all kinds of work it can have greater consequences on a police officer’s than other roles. This situation can be reduced by getting help with your debts. That’s where we come in!
Debt Solutions For Police Officers
If you are a police officer struggling to repay your debts then please don’t worry, you have plenty of options. The first thing you should do is find out exactly who and what you owe. A good source for this information is on your credit record. Please don’t pay for this information – you can get a basic version of your report which lists all of the information you need to know for free.
Once you know your creditors, you should contact them directly and explain your circumstances. They may help you come up with a better timescale in which you can repay them.
This can be an extremely time-consuming procedure, but could well be worth it. However, if that fails, contact our friendly advisers immediately to find out the best debt solution for you particular set of circumstances.
Debt Solutions
DMP – Debt Management Plan
A debt management plan is an informal solution whereby the provider contacts your creditors and arranges reduced payments (basically the same as above, but you don’t do all of the hard work, and DMP providers often have great relationships with the creditors and can often often get a better deal than doing it yourself).
You simply make one affordable monthly payment to your provider, and they do the rest.
You continue paying until your debts are written off.
Bankruptcy
Possibly the most well known debt solution, Bankruptcy can be a severe, but quick, option to clear the debts of a police officer.
Only really suitable for severe debts and only advised when there is no other available option.
Assets such as your home will be taken into account and sold if necessary.
All of your debts are written off at the end of the agreed time.
IVA – Individual Voluntary Arrangement
An individual voluntary arrangement is the most viable alternative to a bankruptcy. Your creditors will be asked to agree to reduced payments, and if agreed they must legally stick the arrangement. As must you.
Interest and charges are stopped, and you are provided legal protection against your creditors.
Usually lasts for five years, after which any unpaid debts are written off.
DRO – Debt Relief Order
Unavailable to homeowners, debt relief orders are suitable for those police officers with few assets and very little spare income.
You are usually discharged after 12 months and creditors must stop chasing for payment.
DAS – Debt Arrangement Scheme
Only for residents of Scotland, a debt arrangement scheme allows you to repay your debts in a ‘reasonable time-frame’.
Credits must legally freeze interest and charges.
All remaining debts will be written off after the agreed period of time.
PTD – Protected Trust Deed
A legally binding debt solution, a protected trust deed will see your debts written off after fours of ‘reasonable’ payments.
All interest and charges are frozen.
Debt Help and Advice for Police Officers
If you are a police officer who is struggling to repay their debts, please don’t hesitate in contacting our trained advisers now for no-obligation debt help and advice.