Sure an’ You Must Be a U.S. Citizen : Irish Luck Falls Short for L.A. Deputy Applicants

Sheriff Sherman Block has respectfully turned down a flood of applicants from Ireland who were responding to a Dublin newspaper story that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department “wants to see you” for a job.

“Unfortunately, the story omitted one very important qualification,” Block said Friday. “The applicants must be U.S. citizens.”

The problems began when the department, falling behind in recruiting deputies, sent two representatives to New York City in February to start an aggressive nationwide recruitment effort.

Following up on media attention focused on the drive, the Evening Herald in Dublin published a brief story headlined, “Real L.A. Law.”

“Fed up with the rain? Like to move west? Fancy earning $25,000 a year?” the story asked Irish readers. “If you answered yes three times and are an able-bodied young woman or man--Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block wants to see you now.”

The story then gave Block’s address in California.

“The article resulted in a landslide of letters from Ireland residents asking for positions in the department,” Deputy Drew Basey said. He did not know how many letters had been received in all, but said about 50 were on his desk.

One young man from Kilbride Grove, Wicklow, Ireland, wrote that he was indeed “able-bodied,” and was even a master of martial arts.

Another hopeful simply said that he was “well-built.”

“I’d like a chance to prove myself to you and your lovely country,” a 19-year-old wrote.

All of the applicants were sent letters informing them of the citizenship requirement, Basey said.

The department, looking for 600 “American” deputies, will soon hold a group test and seminar in Los Angeles for anyone interested in applying.