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Chris McFarlin is a Legal Instructor for Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training. He currently serves as a Sergeant over the Training, S.R.O., and Reserve Units for a Police Department in the Upstate Region of SC. Sgt. McFarlin is also an Attorney and former Deputy State Prosecutor in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has over eighteen years of public service in the Law Enforcement and Legal sectors of our Criminal Justice System. During his tenure as a law enforcement official, he simultaneously served over ten years in higher education; rising to the academic rank of Department Chair. He created and led the way for prepolice academy training program in the SC Technical College System!
Sgt. McFarlin is a nationally recognized industry speaker and trainer. He has spoken at conferences across the country. Additionally, he is a published author with his work being featured by the IACP, American Military University, and also in Police and Police Chief publications. Sgt. McFarlin’s passion is teaching and training police officers! Whether its in an academic or professional setting, his combined attorney and law enforcement background make him a sought after and dynamic instructor. He holds numerous local, state, and national certifications to include being a Master Taser Instructor, Police Training Officer, and Field Training Manager. He is a graduate of the FBI Carolina Command College as well as the several other law enforcement leadership programs.
Sgt. McFarlin’s education includes bachelor degrees in Criminology and Sociology from Arkansas State University and master degrees in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Indiana State University. He graduated from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas with his Juris Doctorate degree.
2023 to Present – Legal Instructor, Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training
2022 to Present – DUI/SFST Instructor, South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination – Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Columbia, South Carolina
2016 to Present – Sergeant – Pickens Police Department, Pickens, South Carolina
2013 to Present – Adjunct Professor – American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia
2011 to 2022 – Department Chair, Pre-Police Academy Instructor – Criminal Justice, Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, South Carolina
2015 – Summary Court Judge – City of Easley, Easley, South Carolina
2009 to 2011 – Attorney at Law, – McFarlin Law Firm, PLLC – Conway, Arkansas
2009 to 2010 – Deputy Prosecuting Attorney – 6th Judicial District, Little Rock, Arkansas
2002 to 2006 – Police Officer – Jonesboro Police Department, Jonesboro, Arkansas
2001 to 2006 – Corrections Officer – Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Chris can be retained as an expert witness or consultant. Please contact him at chris@bluetogold.com
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Juris Doctor
Moot Court Competition, Winner
First Responder Wills Clinic, Pro Bono
Phi Alpha Delta, Law Fraternity, President, Barbara C. Jordan Chapter
Dean’s List RecipientEducation
Indiana State University
Double M.S. Degrees, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Police Administration and Procedures
Arkansas State University
Double B.A. Degrees, Criminology & Sociology
Arkansas Northeastern College
Associate of Arts, 2000-General Studies. Graduated with High Honors
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer- Certification
Use of Force/Officer Decision Making/Force Investigations
Human Performance – Law Enforcement
Conducted Electrical Weapons (Master Instructor-Axon, Inc.)
Advanced Force Specialist (Force Science Institute)
Police Body Worn Cameras
Report Writing
De-Escalation
Carolina Command College, F.B.I.
Mid-Level Management, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Executive Leadership Institute, FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
Command Leadership Institute, FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
Supervisor Leadership Institute, FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
Front-Line Leadership Institute, International Association of Chief’s of Police
Supervisor Training: Ethics in LE, Daigle Law Group
Supervisor Training: Supervisory Liability, Daigle Law Group
Supervisor Training: Supreme Court Case Law, Daigle Law Group
Supervisor Training: First Amendment Law, Daigle Law Group
Harassment Prevention & Misconduct for Supervisors, Daigle Law Group
Stepping Up as a Supervisor, Lexipol
Advanced Force Specialist, Force Science Institute
Force Science Analyst, Force Science Institute
Realistic De-escalation Instructor, Force Science Institute
Enhanced Force Investigations, Critical Incident Review
De-escalation & Intervention, Calibre Press
Legally Justified; but was it avoidable, Calibre Press
Decisions at the Speed of Light, Calibre Press
Spotting Pre-Assault Indicators, Calibre Press
The Gravity of Force Events, Calibre Press
Interviews for Force Investigations, Daigle Law Group
Contemporary Issues in Force Investigations, Daigle Law Group
Applying Human Factors to Force Investigations, Daigle Law Group
Officer Decision Making & Qualified Immunity, Lexipol
Use of Force/OIS Investigations, Public Agency Training Counsel
Science of Violence, GTD Scientific
Psychology of Deadly Force Encounters, Association of Force Investigators
Biomechanics in Force Investigations, Association of Force Investigators
Investigating Human Error, Association of Force Investigators
Published in International and National Law Enforcement Publications:
• International Association of Chief’s of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Chief Magazine, Police Magazine, Online Forums: Police One and Corrections One.
• Senior Contributing Author to In Public Safety with American Military University.
McFarlin, C. (2020, October). Police Reform Requires Raising Educational Standards. Police Chief, 87(10), 46–51.
C. McFarlin (2018, January 10). Back 2 Basics: Proactive Mindset = Proactive Career Growth [Web log comment]. Retrieved from https://inpublicsafety.com/2018/01/back-2-basics-proactive-mindset-proactive-career-growth/
C. McFarlin (2017, November 27). Back 2 Basics: When Must Police Give Miranda Warnings? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from https://inpublicsafety.com/2017/11/back-2-basics-when-must-police-give-miranda-warnings/
C. McFarlin (2017, July 20). Integrating De-escalation Techniques in Policing [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://inpublicsafety.com/2017/07/integrating-de-escalation-techniques-into-policing/
C. McFarlin. (2016, November 22). The Kingsley Case and Pretrial Detainees: How Use of Force Will Be Examined in Court [Web log comment]. Retrieved http://inpublicsafety.com/2016/11/kingsley-case-pretrial-detainees-use-force-will-examined-court/ PUBLISHED ON CORRECTIONS ONE)
C. McFarlin. (2016, March 10). Court Ruling Restricts Police Use of Tasers. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://inpublicsafety.com/2016/03/court-ruling-restricts-police-use-of-tasers/
(PUBLISHED IN MARCH EDITION OF POLICE MAGAZINE)
C. McFarlin. (2015, December 16). Developing a Modernized Reserve Unit: Civil Liability Considerations [Web long comment]. Retrieved from http://inpublicsafety.com/2015/12/developing-a-modernized-reserve-unit-civil-liability-considerations/
C. McFarlin. (2015, November 23). Developing a Modernized Reserve Unit: Infrastructural Considerations [Web long comment]. Retrieved from http://inpublicsafety.com/2015/11/developing-a-modernized-reserve-unit-infrastructural-considerations/
C. McFarlin. (2015, January 7). Body Worn Cameras: Benefits and Best Practices for Police. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://inpublicsafety.com/2015/01/body-worn-cameras-benefits-and-best-practices-for-police/ (PUBLISHED ON POLICE ONE)
DMT Operator, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
A.R.I.D.E., South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Specific Skills Instructor, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
F.T.O. Manager, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
DUI/SFST Instructor, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
SMD Instructor, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Training Manger, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Speed Measurement Device Operator, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Advanced Traffic Stops, Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training
Advanced Criminal Investigations, Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training
Advanced Search & Seizure, Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training
Certified Search & Seizure Instructor, Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training
DUI Report Writing/Influencing Reports, National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators
Train The Trainer, North Carolina Conference of District Attorney’s
Certified Judicial Magistrate, South Carolina Court Administration
Police Traffic Laser/RADAR Instructor, Institute of Police Technology & Management
Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection, Institute of Police Technology & Management
Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, National Association of Emergency Medical Tech
Police Training Officer, Southern Police Institute
Criminal MAPP Training, Street Cop Training
Deceptive Behavior & Hidden Compartments, Street Cop Training
Identifying Criminal Vehicles and Occupants, Street Cop Training
Interdiction Mastermind, Street Cop Training
Survival Tactics, Street Cop Training
Criminal Narcotics Interdiction, Desert Snow Training
Certified Advanced Glock Armorer, Glock Inc.
Master Taser CEW Instructor, Axon Enterprise, Inc.
Advanced Criminal Interview & Interrogation, Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates
Criminal Interview & Interrogation, Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates
Concealed Weapons Permit Instructor, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Attorney at Law, State of Arkansas-Supreme Court
Criminal Trial Litigator, National District Attorneys Association
Active Shooter Response Officer, Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute
Blood Stain Analysis Officer, Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute
Methamphetamine Interdiction Officer, Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute
Keynote Presenter Achievement Award: Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association
Trilogy Award: Federal Bureau of Investigation- Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
Advanced Force Specialist Award: Force Science Institute in Chicago, IL. (FIRST LEO IN STATE OF SC)
A. Wade Martin Innovator of the Year Award Nominee: SC State Technical College System
Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association Annual National Law Enforcement Training Symposium, Long Beach, CA.
Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Summer Conference, Green Bay, WI.
Savant Learning Systems, Nashville, TN.
Hartsville City Police Department, Hartsville, SC.
Pickens County Library System, Easley, SC
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