The San Marcos Police Department has reached a significant milestone in enhancing its response to mental health emergencies. Every eligible frontline officer has obtained the Mental Health Peace Officer (MHPO) certification, marking a crucial achievement in a multi-year initiative aimed at improving interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Currently, a total of 76 officers, representing 59 percent of the department, hold this certification.
State regulations stipulate that officers must have at least two years of service before they can enroll in MHPO coursework, meaning the eligible pool will evolve over time. As new officers meet this requirement, they will follow the advanced certification track, ensuring that the department maintains a high standard of mental health training. In 2025 alone, 57 officers completed the certification process, which requires a minimum of 74 hours of specialized training, including topics such as de-escalation, crisis intervention, first aid, and CPR, alongside a 24-hour Mental Health Officer course. Collectively, these officers logged over 4,200 hours of training this year.
San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our community has been clear about the importance of mental health. We listened. We made this a priority because people experiencing crisis deserve skilled officers who know how to de-escalate, support, and connect them to help.” This training equips officers with the necessary skills to respond effectively in the field.
A notable aspect of this initiative is that among the 76 certified MHPOs, 54 are assigned to direct public-facing roles, including patrol, school-based policing, downtown operations, and crisis response teams. Starting in January 2026, the majority of officers on each patrol shift will hold MHPO certifications, significantly enhancing the department’s ability to address mental health emergencies.
Recognition of the department’s efforts came from Greg Stevens, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). He 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 commended the department for its dedication to training officers to effectively handle situations involving citizens in crisis.
Assistant City Manager Lonzo Anderson highlighted that this achievement reflects a commitment to fostering community trust. “This remarkable achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to standing by residents during their most vulnerable moments,” he said. “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.”
The Texas Police Chiefs Association Executive Director, Gene Ellis (ret.), also praised the San Marcos Police Department for its accomplishment. He noted, “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 remarked that San Marcos is among the few agencies in Texas to achieve this level of certification, setting a benchmark for excellence within the state.
This initiative not only enhances the capabilities of law enforcement but also demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing mental health issues within the community, ensuring that individuals in crisis receive the professional and compassionate care they deserve.
