San Marcos Police Achieves Milestone in Mental Health Training

The San Marcos Police Department has reached a significant milestone in enhancing its mental health response capabilities. All eligible frontline officers have obtained the Mental Health Peace Officer (MHPO) certification, a key aspect of the department’s ongoing initiative to improve interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Currently, a total of 76 officers hold the certification, which represents 59 percent of the department.

Achieving this certification required a multi-year commitment, as state law mandates a minimum of two years of service before an officer can begin MHPO coursework. This means that the pool of eligible officers is continually evolving, with newer recruits progressing through the same advanced certification path. In 2025 alone, 57 officers successfully completed the certification program, which involves a minimum of 74 hours of specialized training in areas such as de-escalation, crisis intervention, first aid, and CPR, alongside a 24-hour Mental Health Officer course. In total, officers who completed the certification in 2025 logged over 4,200 hours of training.

Commitment to Community and Training Standards

The emphasis on mental health training reflects the community’s expressed needs. “Our community has been clear about the importance of mental health. We listened,” said San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge. He highlighted that this certification ensures officers are equipped with the necessary skills to de-escalate situations, support individuals in crisis, and connect them to appropriate resources.

Of the 76 certified MHPOs, 54 are assigned to positions that involve direct community interaction, such as patrol duties, school-based policing, downtown operations, and specialized crisis response teams. Starting in January 2026, a majority of officers on every patrol shift will hold MHPO certifications, thus enhancing the department’s capability to respond effectively to mental health emergencies.

Greg Stevens, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), commended the San Marcos Police Department for its proactive approach. “San Marcos has taken a leadership position in addressing mental health in society from the law enforcement perspective and demonstrated its sincere commitment to serve the community,” he stated. Stevens expressed pride in recognizing the department’s work to ensure that its patrol officers are adequately trained for mental health crisis situations.

Building Trust Through Specialized Training

The accomplishment also underscores a broader commitment to fostering community trust. Lonzo Anderson, Assistant City Manager, remarked that this achievement reflects the department’s dedication to supporting residents during vulnerable moments. “With this advanced training, our officers are equipped to respond with understanding, patience, and compassion, thereby deepening the trust between our department and the community we serve,” he noted.

Retired Chief Gene Ellis, Executive Director of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, congratulated the San Marcos Police Department on this significant accomplishment. He emphasized that the dedication to completing the extensive certification process exemplifies a strong commitment to delivering high-quality service to the San Marcos community. Ellis noted that San Marcos might be among the few agencies in Texas to achieve such a high standard of certification, setting a benchmark for excellence statewide.

The San Marcos Police Department’s focus on mental health training not only enhances officer preparedness but also signifies a vital step toward addressing the challenges faced by individuals in crisis, ensuring a compassionate response when it is needed most.