King Merritt’s recent appointment as the School Resource Officer (SRO) for Marfa Independent School District (MISD) has sparked significant concern, following revelations about troubling evaluations from his previous role as a criminal justice professor. Additionally, the Marfa Police Department’s deletion of a social media post introducing Merritt has raised questions about transparency and compliance with state records laws.
Merritt’s teaching history, as reflected in student reviews on Rate My Professors, points to persistent issues with his professionalism and integrity. One student described him as “very unprofessional,” noting that he spent class time making “racy jokes” and expressing his personal dislike for President Obama. Other reviews echo similar concerns, with one stating, “You don’t learn anything in this class,” and another describing how Merritt “just talks a lot of personal stories… and doesn’t follow the book.” You can view these reviews here.
These reviews, which suggest a pattern of neglecting his professional responsibilities, raise concerns about Merritt’s ability to effectively fulfill the duties of an SRO. Integrity and sound judgment are crucial in this role, which involves overseeing the safety of students and ensuring a secure school environment.
The controversy surrounding Merritt’s appointment deepened after the Marfa Police Department deleted a social media post introducing him as the new SRO. The post was removed shortly after Big Bend Times publisher David Flash raised concerns about Merritt’s background in a live video. Flash pointed out inconsistencies in Merritt’s academic credentials listed on his campaign website, as well as allegations of threatening behavior by Merritt toward Flash and a county clerk.
Although the Marfa Police Department initially claimed the post was removed to be replaced with one featuring Merritt interacting with students, no replacement post has surfaced. This has further fueled speculation about the department’s transparency regarding Merritt’s appointment.
In addition to concerns about Merritt’s qualifications, the deletion of the post may have violated Texas state records laws, which require government social media posts to be retained for at least two years. Flash has filed a formal complaint with Marfa Police Chief Gilbert Carrillo, raising questions about whether the department followed proper retention protocols. The complaint emphasizes the potential violation of Texas Government Code, which mandates the preservation of public records, including those documenting the appointment of public officials.
As Merritt continues in his role as SRO, the community remains concerned about his competence and the integrity of his appointment. The lack of transparency surrounding both his background and the deleted post has led to calls for more oversight and accountability from local law enforcement and school officials.
