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. 1.4 Inspections and Audits
  3. 1.6 Departmental Reports
  4. 1.8 Citizen Advisory Panel
  5. 2.1 Rules of Conduct
  6. 2.2 Biased Based Policing
  7. 2.6 Accident and Injury Prevention
  8. 2.8 Use of Social Media
  9. 3.1 Basic Training Requirements
  10. 3.2 Field Training
  11. 4.5 Uniforms, Appearance, and Equipment
  12. 4.5A Uniformed Facial Hair Addendum
  13. 4.8 Reserve Officer Program
  14. 4.9 Officer Fitness
  15. 4.10 Community Outreach and Customer Service
  16. 4.11 Employee Wellness and Resiliency
  17. 5.3 Computer and Electronic Equipment Usage and Data Security
  18. 5.4 Automated License Plate Readers
  19. 6.1 Response to Resistance and Aggression
  20. 6.2 Firearms and Qualifications
  21. 6.2A Approved Firearms and Ammunition
  22. 6.3 Non-Lethal and Less-Lethal Weapons
  23. 6.4 Officer Involved Shooting Investigations
  24. 7.1 Constitutional Safeguards
  25. 7.1.1 Cite and Release
  26. 7.2 Field Interviews and Detentions
  27. 7.3 Arrests With and Without a Warrant
  28. 7.4 Search Incident to Arrest and Other Searches Without a Warrant
  29. 7.5 Search Warrant
  30. 7.10 Prisoner Restraints
  31. 7.11 Prisoner Transportation
  32. 7.14 Vehicle Operation
  33. 7.15 Vehicle Pursuits
  34. 7.16 Vehicle Impound and Inventory
  35. 7.18 Drones
  36. 7.19 Caiman Rescue Vehicle
  37. 7.20 Therapy Dog Program
  38. 7.21 Immigration Enforcement Issues
  39. 7.22 Naloxone (Narcan)
  40. 7.41 Crime Scene Processing
  41. 8.1 Unusual Occurrences and Special Events
  42. 8.2 Civil Disturbances and Mass Arrests
  43. 8.3 Emergency Response Team
  44. 8.6 Violent Encounter Response Strategies
  45. 12.1 Property and Evidence Management

Legacy Policies

  1. 101 Organization and Command
  2. 102 Authority and Accountability
  3. 103 Internal Communications
  4. 104 Fiscal Management
  5. 107 Administrative Investigations
  6. 209 Traffic Enforcement and Control
  7. 212 Mental Health Patients
  8. 300 Preliminary and Follow-up Investigations
  9. 301 Missing Persons and Amber Alert and Silver Network
  10. 302 Juvenile Investigations
  11. 303 Child Abuse and Neglect
  12. 304 Computer Seizures
  13. 305 Family Violence
  14. 306 Protective Orders
  15. 307 Eyewitness Identification
  16. 400 Communications
  17. 401 Records
  18. 501 Hazardous Materials and Explosive Material
  19. 502 Executive and Dignitary Protection
  20. 503 Incident Command
  21. 600 Compensation and Benefits
  22. 601 Secondary Employment
  23. 602 Recruitment and Selection
  24. 604 Promotions and Transfers
  25. 605 Performance Evaluations
  26. 606 Awards
  27. 608 Infectious Diseases
  28. 609 Temporary Modified Duty Assignments
  29. 610 Brady Rule
  30. 701 Concurrent Jurisdictions and Mutual Assistance
  31. 800 Agency Owned Property
  32. 801 Facilities
  33. 105 Inspections
  34. 200 Use of Force
  35. 203 Racial Profiling
  36. 206 Interviews, Stops and Arrests
  37. 207 Care, Transportation and Booking of Prisoners
  38. 208 Searches and Search Warrants
  39. 211 Vehicle Impound and Inventory
  40. 213 Mechanical Control
  41. 402 SWAT
  42. 500 Special Events
  43. 603 Training
  44. 607 Professional Appearance
  45. 607A Professional Appearance Standards Addendum
  46. 700 Community Relations
  47. 201A Firearms Attachment