Mission Statement

The mission of the San Marcos Police Department is to effectively and efficiently provide for the protection of lives and property, preserve the public peace, and provide needed community services with the highest level of professionalism and ethical standards. 

The San Marcos Police Department is committed to the concept of shared responsibility, in partnership with its community, to identify and solve community problems, to maintain the public safety, and to promote a sense of confidence and security among its citizens, while remaining astute to the principles and craft of traditional policing.

The employees of the San Marcos Police Department take great pride in professionalism. We pursue a working environment in which honesty, integrity, open communications and compassion are of our character and culture.

The mission of the San Marcos Police Department is dynamic and ever changing. In an effort to best serve our community, to provide a safe living environment and high quality of life for our citizens, we always strive to utilize our limited resources in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

Our community and our mission have never been more complex than they are today. The pace of change required a continuing commitment to the training, education and the professional development of our employees. We recognize that through a commitment to the highest professional standards, both in the selection and development of our personnel, that we can at least meet with the pace of change, instill pride in our community, and accomplish our dutiful obligations in a safe and professional manner. With diligence and devotion we are committed to the attainment of excellence, an ongoing profession unto itself.

At no time in our history has the availability of technological tools played a more significant role in our ability to enhance our services to the public. We continue to evaluate and consider new applications for innovation in our duties, responsibilities and conventional methodology. We procure and assimilate cost effective advancements in technology to augment our service delivery and communication within our community.

Effective police service is always considerate of both the human and humane realities or our world. The San Marcos Police Department instills in its employees and encourages the use of professional and responsible discretion, guided by effective policy and practice. Individual initiative, enthusiasm and the value measured use of police discretion is rewarded.