05/29/2026
At the Merkel Police Department, transparency matters.
We understand that social media has a global reach. Posts made for our local community can be viewed, shared, and commented on by people far beyond Merkel. While we respect that everyone may have opinions about public content, our focus will always remain where it belongs: serving the needs of our citizens and our community.
We are not a department that polices “at” our citizens. We police for our citizens.
Over the past few weeks, we have greatly appreciated the positive feedback from our local community, whether through social media comments, messages, or the personal contact our officers and staff have had with citizens throughout Merkel. That feedback matters. Your trust, your concerns, your questions, and your support help guide how we serve.
Our goal in using social media is simple: to educate, inform, engage, and listen. Social media gives us another way to provide helpful information, highlight community issues, explain city ordinances and public safety topics, and seek feedback that can assist our City Council and city government as they make decisions that impact Merkel’s growth, quality of life, and future.
We also want to be transparent about our use of technology, including AI-assisted tools. As a department with limited resources, efficiency matters. When used safely, lawfully, and responsibly, AI can help us create educational content more quickly and consistently. That means less time spent designing posts and more time available for police work, community service, and the duties entrusted to us by our citizens.
Technology does not replace our officers, our staff, our judgment, or our responsibility to the public. It is simply a tool that, when used appropriately, helps us work smarter and serve better.
We will continue to be active on social media, continue seeking community feedback, and continue working every day to serve Merkel with professionalism, transparency, and commitment.
One Team. One Mission. One Merkel.
Pride in Community, Serving with Honor.
