AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a local award of a certificate from the Texas Police Chiefs Association recognizing the San Marcos Police Department’s as an Accreditation Law Enforcement Agency.
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Meeting date: September 2, 2025
Department: Police
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Background Information:
The San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) has been recognized as an "Accredited Law Enforcement Agency" by the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA). The recognition reinforces the department’s commitment to excellence, public trust, and continuous improvement.
The TPCA Accreditation Program evaluates agencies on 173 best practices developed by law enforcement professionals across Texas. These standards cover every major aspect of modern policing, including use of force, citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and internal investigations. Accreditation ensures that a department’s policies, procedures, and operations are aligned with the highest professional standards in the state.
There are 2,788 law enforcement agencies in Texas, but only about 7.8% are accredited by the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the San Marcos Police Department is thankful to have been added to this number. Accreditation demonstrates to our community members that we value professional policing and welcome continuous improvement. By allowing leaders from outside our department to inspect what we expect, we can better reduce risk, protect civil liberties, and ensure we deliver the best service possible.
Accredited agencies must submit annual reports, maintain compliance with evolving standards, and undergo a full review every four years to retain their status.
SMPD began the accreditation process by conducting a comprehensive internal review of its operations, facilities, and policies, culminating in the department’s final on-site review. Independent assessors, experienced Texas police administrators, visited the department on April 24 and 25 to evaluate its operations firsthand, interview personnel, and confirm compliance with all required standards.
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