Police Officer Debt

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:

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

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.

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.