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. 5.1 Department Records
  25. 5.3 Computer and Electronic Equipment Usage and Data Security
  26. 5.4 Automated License Plate Readers
  27. 6.1 Response to Resistance and Aggression
  28. 6.2 Firearms and Qualifications
  29. 6.2A Approved Firearms and Ammunition
  30. 6.3 Non-Lethal and Less-Lethal Weapons
  31. 6.4 Officer Involved Shooting Investigations
  32. 7.1 Constitutional Safeguards
  33. 7.1.1 Cite and Release
  34. 7.2 Field Interviews and Detentions
  35. 7.3 Arrests With and Without a Warrant
  36. 7.4 Search Incident to Arrest and Other Searches Without a Warrant
  37. 7.5 Search Warrant
  38. 7.10 Prisoner Restraints
  39. 7.11 Prisoner Transportation
  40. 7.14 Vehicle Operation
  41. 7.15 Vehicle Pursuits
  42. 7.16 Vehicle Impound and Inventory
  43. 7.18 Drones
  44. 7.19 Caiman Rescue Vehicle
  45. 7.20 Therapy Dog Program
  46. 7.21 Immigration Enforcement Issues
  47. 7.22 Naloxone (Narcan)
  48. 7.41 Crime Scene Processing
  49. 8.1 Unusual Occurrences and Special Events
  50. 8.2 Civil Disturbances and Mass Arrests
  51. 8.3 Emergency Response Team
  52. 8.6 Violent Encounter Response Strategies
  53. 12.1 Property and Evidence Management

Legacy Policies

  1. 103 Internal Communications
  2. 209 Traffic Enforcement and Control
  3. 212 Mental Health Patients
  4. 300 Preliminary and Follow-up Investigations
  5. 301 Missing Persons and Amber Alert and Silver Network
  6. 302 Juvenile Investigations
  7. 303 Child Abuse and Neglect
  8. 304 Computer Seizures
  9. 305 Family Violence
  10. 306 Protective Orders
  11. 307 Eyewitness Identification
  12. 400 Communications
  13. 501 Hazardous Materials and Explosive Material
  14. 502 Executive and Dignitary Protection
  15. 503 Incident Command
  16. 600 Compensation and Benefits
  17. 601 Secondary Employment
  18. 604 Promotions and Transfers
  19. 605 Performance Evaluations
  20. 606 Awards
  21. 608 Infectious Diseases
  22. 609 Temporary Modified Duty Assignments
  23. 610 Brady Rule
  24. 701 Concurrent Jurisdictions and Mutual Assistance
  25. 801 Facilities