San Marcos Police Department Hits 59% Mental Health Peace Officer Certification

In a move that underscores a growing emphasis on mental‑health‑savvy policing, the San Marcos Police Department announced that 76 of its officers—59% of the force—have earned Mental Health Peace Officer certification.

Certification Milestone

The department’s press release highlighted that every eligible frontline officer has earned the MHPO certification, marking a significant benchmark for the agency. As of Monday, 59% of the department’s officers hold the certification, a figure that reflects the ongoing effort to expand mental‑health training across the force. State law requires a minimum of two years of service before an officer may begin MHPO coursework, so the eligible pool changes as newer officers meet the service requirement.

Training Requirements

To qualify, officers must complete at least 74 hours of specialized instruction covering de‑escalation, crisis intervention, first aid, and CPR, plus a 24‑hour Mental Health Officer course. Those who finished the certification in 2025 logged more than 42,000 hours of training, according to the release. In that same year, 57 officers earned the certification, adding to the growing number of trained responders.

Community Impact

Chief Stan Standridge emphasized the department’s commitment to mental‑health readiness. “Our community has been clear about the importance of mental health,” he said. “We listened.”

Officer Roles

Of the 76 certified MHPOs, 54 are assigned to public‑facing positions such as patrol, school‑based policing, downtown operations, and crisis response teams. These roles place certified officers directly in contact with the community, where they can apply their specialized skills.

Future Goals

By the beginning of January 2026, the department aims for the majority of its officers on every patrol shift to hold MHPO certification. This goal reflects the agency’s strategy to ensure that officers who encounter individuals in crisis are equipped to de‑escalate, support, and connect them to help.

Why It Matters

Chief Standridge wrote that the department chose to prioritize MHPO certification because “people experiencing crisis deserve skilled officers who know how to de‑escalate, support, and connect them to help.” He added, “This certification ensures our officers have the training and tools they need to do exactly that.”

State Law Context

The requirement that officers have at least two years of service before beginning the coursework is a state mandate, which means the department’s certification pool is dynamic. As newer officers meet the service threshold, they will move through the certification track.

Training Hours

Officers who completed the certification in 2025 logged more than 42,000 hours of training. This figure illustrates the extensive commitment required to achieve MHPO status.

Public‑Facing Distribution

With 54 of the 76 certified officers in public‑facing roles, the department has positioned a majority of its frontline responders to apply mental‑health protocols during routine interactions.

Milestone Significance

Reaching a 59% certification rate represents a major benchmark for the San Marcos Police Department, indicating a strong institutional focus on mental‑health preparedness.

Continuous Growth

The department’s plan to have the majority of patrol officers certified by January 2026 demonstrates a forward‑looking approach to crisis response.

Community Feedback

The press release noted that community input played a key role in the department’s decision to prioritize mental‑health training.

Operational Readiness

The MHPO certification equips officers with the tools needed to handle mental‑health crises effectively, improving overall community safety.

Training Structure

The 74‑hour specialized instruction and 24‑hour course structure ensures a comprehensive foundation for officers dealing with mental‑health situations.

Certification Tracking

Because the eligibility pool changes as officers gain the required two years of service, the department continually updates its certification status.

Impact on Patrol Shifts

By 2026, the department expects most patrol shifts to feature officers with MHPO certification, enhancing crisis response capabilities.

Key Takeaways

• 76 officers (59%) hold Mental Health Peace Officer certification.
• Certification requires 74 hours of specialized training plus a 24‑hour course.
• By January 2026, most patrol officers will be certified.

The San Marcos Police Department’s achievement underscores its dedication to equipping officers with the skills necessary to support individuals experiencing mental‑health crises, fostering safer interactions between law enforcement and the community.