CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As police departments struggle to find new officers many have raised salaries and benefits.
However, Falfurrias Police Chief Will Barton is still in need of help. There are now just eight officers including himself who are patrolling the city 24/7. He is supposed to have 14 officers on the force but council has now cut that to 13.
"Usually only have one person working," he said. "So, let's say we get in a pursuit, then who is going to answer our call or, if you can answer a call then who's going to be the one, you know, to stop all of these immigrants who are just running across the roadway and everything like that?"
Barton said the starting pay for an officer is $20 an hour. He said the pay is good for the area but it's not the best. Plus, applicants said the town doesn't offer much in the way of things to do.
"If you're not from here you really don't want to be here. Like really what is here? besides work? Which I love it here, I love this area, but what's here?" he said.
The Department has also started up a new program to try and attract recruits.
"If you apply with us we do send you to the Delmar police Academy and it's a six month program," she said.
Garcia has been patrolling the streets of Falfurrias for 3 years. While he is not from the area, he did tell 3NEWS that he enjoys being a part of the community.
"You're going to learn a lot. If you want to start your career in Law Enforcement, this is a good place to start like we have everything," he said.
But right now the chief believes he's fighting an uphill battle to get officers to come here. That's because other departments have higher pay and better benefits.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Uber now allows teen accounts in South Texas for rides, food delivery
- Angelica Hernandez resigns as first assistant to Nueces County D.A.
- Rockin' K Farms celebrates 10 years of fall festivities
- Here's when the next Starlink satellites will be visible over Corpus Christi
- Corpus Christi restaurant 3rd best place to eat in Texas, Yelp says
- District attorney Mark Gonzalez resigns to run for US Senate against Ted Cruz
- Here's when you can watch the 2023 solar eclipse over Corpus Christi
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.