SMPD Policy

SMPD utilizes two sets of policy.  The first is the “recognized” policy. This is the policy to which our department is currently transitioning. It is based on best practices from across the State that have been identified by the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) and other departments like ours who subscribe to a community-based model of policing. When our transition to the “recognized” policy is complete, we will apply to be an accredited agency of the TPCA and will adhere to this single and unified policy. The second is referred to as the “legacy” policy. This policy has been continually refined for a number of years. These refinements have been based on community input as well as contextual best practices that have been identified by our administration here in San Marcos. 


Recognized Policies

  1. 1.1 Mission, Values, and Written Directive System
  2. 1.2 Jurisdiction, Organization and Authority
  3. 1.3 Fiscal Management
  4. 1.4 Inspections and Audits
  5. 1.5 Mutual Aid
  6. 1.6 Departmental Reports
  7. 1.8 Citizen Advisory Panel
  8. 2.1 Rules of Conduct
  9. 2.2 Biased Based Policing
  10. 2.4 Internal Investigation Process and Complaints
  11. 2.5 Employee Disciplinary Process
  12. 2.6 Accident and Injury Prevention
  13. 2.7 Court Appearance
  14. 2.8 Use of Social Media
  15. 2.9 Event Review Board
  16. 3.1 Basic Training Requirements
  17. 3.2 Field Training
  18. 4.1 Hiring and Selection
  19. 4.5 Uniforms, Appearance, and Equipment
  20. 4.5A Uniformed Facial Hair Addendum
  21. 4.9 Officer Fitness
  22. 4.10 Community Outreach and Customer Service
  23. 4.11 Employee Wellness and Resiliency
  24. 4.12 Awards
  25. 5.1 Department Records
  26. 5.3 Computer and Electronic Equipment Usage and Data Security
  27. 5.4 Automated License Plate Readers
  28. 6.1 Response to Resistance and Aggression
  29. 6.2 Firearms and Qualifications
  30. 6.2A Approved Firearms and Ammunition
  31. 6.3 Non-Lethal and Less-Lethal Weapons
  32. 6.4 Officer Involved Shooting Investigations
  33. 7.1 Constitutional Safeguards
  34. 7.1.1 Cite and Release
  35. 7.2 Field Interviews and Detentions
  36. 7.3 Arrests With and Without a Warrant
  37. 7.4 Search Incident to Arrest and Other Searches Without a Warrant
  38. 7.5 Search Warrant
  39. 7.7 Communication with the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  40. 7.8 Arrests of Transgender, Intersex, Gender Nonconforming Individuals
  41. 7.9 Citizen or Media Recording of Police Activity
  42. 7.10 Prisoner Restraints
  43. 7.11 Prisoner Transportation
  44. 7.12 Juvenile Process
  45. 7.13 Domestic Violence and Protective Orders
  46. 7.14 Vehicle Operation
  47. 7.15 Vehicle Pursuits
  48. 7.16 Vehicle Impound and Inventory
  49. 7.18 Drones
  50. 7.19 Caiman Rescue Vehicle
  51. 7.20 Therapy Dog Program
  52. 7.21 Immigration Enforcement Issues
  53. 7.22 Naloxone (Narcan)
  54. 7.23 Canine
  55. 7.25 Patrol Operations
  56. 7.30 Traffic Enforcement
  57. 7.31 Accident Investigations
  58. 7.41 Crime Scene Processing
  59. 7.43 Informants
  60. 7.44 Sex Offender Registration
  61. 7.45 Electronic Device Seizure
  62. 8.1 Unusual Occurrences and Special Events
  63. 8.2 Civil Disturbances and Mass Arrests
  64. 8.3 Emergency Response Team
  65. 8.6 Violent Encounter Response Strategies
  66. 12.1 Property and Evidence Management

Legacy Policies

  1. 103 Internal Communications
  2. 212 Mental Health Patients
  3. 300 Preliminary and Follow-up Investigations
  4. 301 Missing Persons and Amber Alert and Silver Network
  5. 303 Child Abuse and Neglect
  6. 307 Eyewitness Identification
  7. 400 Communications
  8. 501 Hazardous Materials and Explosive Material
  9. 502 Executive and Dignitary Protection
  10. 503 Incident Command
  11. 600 Compensation and Benefits
  12. 601 Secondary Employment
  13. 604 Promotions and Transfers
  14. 605 Performance Evaluations
  15. 608 Infectious Diseases
  16. 609 Temporary Modified Duty Assignments
  17. 610 Brady Rule
  18. 701 Concurrent Jurisdictions and Mutual Assistance
  19. 801 Facilities