The San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) has achieved a significant milestone in its mental health response efforts by ensuring all eligible frontline officers have obtained the Mental Health Peace Officer (MHPO) certification. This accomplishment marks the culmination of a multi-year initiative aimed at enhancing the department’s ability to respond effectively to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Currently, 76 officers, representing 59 percent of the department, hold this vital certification.
The path to certification is governed by state law, which requires officers to serve a minimum of two years before they can begin the MHPO coursework. Consequently, the pool of eligible candidates is continually evolving. Newly appointed officers who reach this service threshold will engage in the same advanced training track, thereby sustaining the department’s commitment to mental health preparedness over the long term. Notably, 57 officers achieved certification in 2025 alone, contributing to a total of more than 4,200 hours of training dedicated to this cause.
The MHPO certification process involves a minimum of 74 hours of specialized instruction, covering essential topics such as de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, first aid, and CPR, alongside a comprehensive 24-hour Mental Health Officer course. The investment in this training directly enhances field readiness, with 54 of the 76 certified officers assigned to public-facing roles, including patrol, school resource positions, downtown operations, and crisis response teams.
San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Our community has been clear about the importance of mental health. We listened. We made this a priority because people experiencing crises deserve skilled officers who know how to de-escalate, support, and connect them to help.” This proactive approach aims to equip officers with the necessary training and tools to handle mental health emergencies effectively.
The significance of this achievement was further recognized by Greg Stevens, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), who stated, “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 noted that TCOLE is proud to acknowledge the SMPD’s efforts in preparing its officers for mental health crisis situations.
Assistant City Manager Lonzo Anderson highlighted the accomplishment as a reflection of the city’s dedication to community trust. “This remarkable achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to standing by residents during their most vulnerable moments. With this advanced training, our officers are equipped to respond with understanding, patience, and compassion,” he said.
The Texas Police Chiefs Association Executive Director, Chief Gene Ellis (ret), also congratulated the SMPD for this significant achievement. He remarked, “Their dedication to completing this extensive certification process reflects an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of service to the San Marcos community.” Ellis pointed out that San Marcos may be among the very few agencies in Texas to have achieved this level of certification, setting a benchmark for excellence across the state.
With the majority of officers on every patrol shift expected to hold MHPO certifications beginning in January 2026, the San Marcos Police Department is poised to enhance its ability to respond effectively to mental health emergencies, further solidifying its role as a leader in community-focused policing.
