ROBSTOWN -- The Robstown Police Department says it needs a few good women. Currently they're none of staff leavin the department shorthanded by three officers. The civil service department is looking to make some changes in order to encourage citizens to apply for the force.

Jason Garcia is in charges of drawing up the standards for the applicants and getting them approved by the city. He says there are several different physical requirements that follow a written exam.

"They have to do 5 pull ups, they have to run 440 yards, they have to run a hundred yard dash," Garcia said. "We're going to change the agility part and it's going to be a lot easier for not only females but also your older officers who are trying to become police officers."

Garcia says the hiring process starts with a written exam where cadets have to score a 70 or higher. Then they take the agility test he says the department hasn't hired a female in several years because many women just don't apply.

"We average about three females a year. In those four years, we've only had one female pass the written part and unfortunately she did fail the agility part," Garcia said.

Garcia says the police department is at a disadvantage without female officers because when a women is pulled over there's no one available to search her and as a result, she's let go.

"We desperately need females to apply for females police positions," Garcia said.

To make the physical test easier, Garcia says they plan to get rid of pull ups and allow more time for the running tests. He says they have an academy class every 6 months and hope to make the changes in time for the next class.