The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) has taken steps to become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to receive certification in trauma-informed care.
The move marks a significant shift towards prioritizing mental health and resilience within the force.
Officials say the approach is part of a broader city-wide initiative aiming to integrate trauma-informed principles within all city departments by 2026.
The certification, awarded by The Ecumenical Center on behalf of the South Texas Trauma Informed Care Consortium, recognizes SAPD’s commitment to creating an environment of “safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment.”
The City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) also received this certification as the city aims to enhance service through understanding and support for those affected by trauma.
In an exclusive interview, SAPD Captain Rene Gallegos shared his vision for a department where conversations about mental health are not just common but encouraged.
“Every crime scene that you make affects you, and this accumulates,” Gallegos explained. “It’s OK to ask for help. And, it’s OK not being OK for a day.”
The initiative arrives at a critical time for SAPD, following a year marked by numerous officer shootings and challenging cases involving mental health and high-profile crimes.
The trauma-informed care certification, officials say, signifies a proactive step towards supporting officers’ mental health, ensuring they have the resources to handle personal and professional hardships effectively.
Bart Vasquez, Executive Director of the 100 Club of San Antonio and a retired SAPD officer, stressed the urgency of normalizing mental health conversations within law enforcement.
“Another officer is going to get shot, or another firefighter is going to go through a tough scene and have to deal with some injuries,” Vasquez said. “We have to show them a positive way to recover from that and deal with those issues.”
The certification process involved extensive review of SAPD’s policies and training programs, along with employee feedback and site visits.
“Our new wellness program was inspired during this,” Gallegos added.
She believes that helping officers with their struggles will in turn help the community with theirs.
“In turn, our community gets a better officer,” she said. “That means the interactions in the field are going to be with a little bit more compassion.”
City Manager Erik Walsh was grateful for the collective efforts that led to the program.
“The Level 1 Certification is a testament to the City’s commitment in serving our community,” Walsh said. “By providing employees with the necessary tools and training to identify unique situations they encounter daily, we are able to improve resident services.”
The certification not only signifies a milestone for SAPD and Metro Health but also sets a precedent for other city departments, with the goal of having over 40 departments achieve Level 1 Foundational Trauma Informed Care Organizational Certification by fiscal year 2026.
In pursuit of this goal, SAPD and Metro Health have initiated collaborative efforts to establish dedicated spaces at SAPD substations, offering a safe environment for those experiencing crises.
Mary Beth Fisk, President & CEO of the Ecumenical Center, praised the certified organizations for their leadership in adopting trauma-informed care.
“This certification demonstrates the organization’s commitment to safety, trustworthiness, and collaboration for both internal and external consumers,” Fisk said in a statement.
