San Marcos Police Department vehicle. Photo by Sierra Martin
Staff Reports
SAN MARCOS – Beginning the week of October 4, 2021, the San Marcos Police Department will train all sworn officers in the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project. The evidence-based national training and support initiative developed by the Georgetown University Law Center aims to empower and educate officers, ultimately preventing misconduct, reducing mistakes, promoting officers’ health and wellness, and improving community relations.
The San Marcos Police Department was accepted into the project following a thorough application process that affirmed the department’s commitment to excellence. As part of the application process, SMPD submitted letters of support for the project written by Chief Stan Standridge, City leadership, and community groups.
“ABLE is a truly valuable resource for the department and the citizens of San Marcos alike,” said Chief Standridge. “We look forward to sharing the program with our officers and demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement in service to our community.”
Each sworn officer within SMPD will undergo eight hours of training designed to reinforce active bystandership, which authorizes and empowers law enforcement personnel to intervene in another officer’s action, teaches successful intervention strategies, and protects individuals following intervention. The program will be led by SMPD’s certified ABLE trainers, including Chief Standridge and Officers John Dehkordi, GeCorrie Royal and Crystal Benavides.
Training in the ABLE Project reinforces SMPD employees’ moral, ethical, and legal duty to intervene to prevent another employee from engaging in conduct that would unnecessarily harm others or violate law or policy, which applies regardless of rank. Intervention is required where the bystander employee is witness to and has a reasonable opportunity to prevent or mitigate harm caused by policy or legal violations, or mistakes. Employees are also encouraged to intervene to assist colleagues in addressing health and wellness concerns.
Officers’ completion of ABLE training aims to improve relationships between law enforcement personnel and community members, build trust, and foster cooperation. The San Marcos Police Department joins more than 150 national law enforcement agencies in committing to transformational reform through the ABLE Project.
For more information about the project, visit the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement website.
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But if Standridge doesn’t discipline officers, what changes by officers coming forward to report each other?
In Jan, Sgt Hartman told fellow officers, “I’m going to taze this guy,” referring to a young man, complying with orders, hands raised who was also filming the encounter.
His punishment for needlessly electrocuting him? Lost one week of paid leave, when he just enjoyed over five months paid leave for his negligent-homicide charge…
Because Jordan Buckley can't tell the truth he omits telling us his buddy was NOT complying with orders, and refused to put down the object he was holding in his raised hands . . . by which the matter became a shocking story. . . zap.
Jordan, we know you can't give us what you ain't got, facts and truth, Even Mano Amiga admits you need help.
A couple of dumb questions:
* How do you video record your encounter with police while keeping your hands raised?
* Also, what phone has the ability to record from both front and selfie modes at the same time?
That camera might exist, but I wonder how much it would cost.