San Marcos, Texas – The San Marcos Police Department has reached a significant achievement: over half of its officers are now certified as Mental Health Peace Officers (MHPO). This means 76 officers, or 59% of the department, received specialized training to help them respond better to mental health crises.
Chief Stan Standridge emphasizes the importance of this training. “We focus on de-escalation. Slowing things down helps us buy time,” he explains. He believes this will reduce the need for arrests and improve support for people in distress.
To earn the MHPO certification, officers must have at least two years of experience and complete extensive training. In 2025 alone, officers completed 4,200 hours of mental health training. This involved real conversations with mental health professionals and hands-on simulations using Virtual Reality headsets.
One of the key figures in this initiative is Corporal Joe Osbourne, who heads the department’s mental health unit. He highlights the importance of realistic training scenarios, allowing officers to engage with “clients” as they would in real-life situations.
Chief Standridge pointed out that since 2023, officers have responded to over 8,000 mental health-related calls. Moreover, they’ve dealt with more than 800 emergency detentions. He noted a troubling trend: “County jails have historically functioned as the largest mental health providers in Texas.” This training aims to change that.
With more officers trained, the department hopes to better handle these situations, sending individuals to appropriate care instead of jail. The early results are promising. In one recent incident, a newly certified officer successfully negotiated with a veteran threatening self-harm, resolving the situation without needing a SWAT team.
Looking ahead to 2026, the goal is to take a more proactive approach. The Mental Health Unit will conduct routine check-ins with those known to struggle with mental health issues. Chief Standridge hopes to assign more officers to this role, preventing crises before they occur.
This initiative in San Marcos is part of a broader movement in various cities. For example, Austin has also launched a unique program to handle mental health emergencies more effectively. As communities recognize the vital need for mental health training in policing, the aim is clear: better care and support for those in crisis.
For more insights on mental health strategies in law enforcement, you can read more from trusted sources like the [National Institute of Mental Health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov).
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