Chris McFarlin

Attorney - Legal Instructor

Chris McFarlin is an Attorney & Legal Instructor for Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training, teaching our full catalog of legal courses. He is a veteran law enforcement officer who has served in supervisory ranks as a Sergeant and a Lieutenant. He currently serves as an active L.E.O. in SC where he focuses on patrol support, training, and serving as an F.T.O.

Most recently he served as the Training Manager for a large Sheriff’s Office with over 300 sworn deputies. Mr. McFarlin oversaw the research and training development as well as legal updates for all aspects of law-related services in this capacity. He is an attorney and former prosecutor.  He has over twenty-two years of public service experience serving professionally in all facets of our Criminal Justice System; including serving in a judicial capacity. During his tenure as an L.E.O., he simultaneously served in higher education, rising to the academic rank of Department Chair. He led a state-wide initiative in developing and implementing the Pre-Police Academy Training Program for the SC Technical College System!

Mr. McFarlin is a nationally recognized industry speaker and trainer. Additionally, he is a published author with his work being featured by the IACP, PERF, American Military University, and in Police and Police Chief publications. His passion is teaching and training police officers! Whether it’s in an academic or professional setting, his combined attorney, law enforcement, and academic background make him a sought-after and dynamic instructor. He holds numerous local, state, and national certifications including Master Taser Instructor, National Police Training Officer, and Field Training Manager. He is a graduate of the FBI Carolina Command College as well as several other law enforcement leadership programs.

Mr. McFarlin holds multiple degrees. His undergraduate degrees include an A.A. from Arkansas Northeastern College (MCCC) and double B.A. degrees in Criminology and Sociology from Arkansas State University. He has double M.S. degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Indiana State University. Finally, he has a professional doctorate; his Juris Doctor degree from Texas Southern University-Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Write a Review

Current reviews for Chris McFarlin

86 Reviews

5

HY

Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Maryland

Took the Advanced Traffic Stop class in October, This class took me through case law primary related to taking the traffic stop further. I believe that every Law Enforcement Officer should take this class because learning case law gives you valuable guidelines to becoming a great L.E.O.

5

HY

Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Maryland

Took the Advanced Traffic Stop class in October, This class took me through case law primary related to taking the traffic stop further. I believe that every Law Enforcement Officer should take this class because learning case law gives you valuable guidelines to becoming a great L.E.O.

5

DB

Maryland

Very knowledgeable. Chris was able to articulate the law more as it pertains to traffic.

5

HA

GCSO
MD

Informative, engaging, positive thought provocation. Good stuff.

5

Mark Miller

Md natural resources police
Md

Awesome class. Current info. Provoked a lot of thinking.

5

MW

MD

Great class. Every officer should take. Helps you to be confident while doing your job.

5

AS

Great training!!

5

CF

Great Instructor

5

F. Bettencourt

CA Parks

The three day search and seizure course was informative and entertaining. I would recommend it to newer officers to get a more solid base than the rushed academy training and to older officers for a good refresher. Chris is responsive and knowledgeable and a good presenter. Thanks again for your time.

5

B

MCSO
AL

I really enjoyed the duty to intervene class and feel that it’s necessary information for any LEO supervisor.

5

SR

Madison County SO
Alabama

Solid class, stayed on topic throughout the class! He presented legality issues well. Would recommend this short training block to all those wearing a badge and gun for a living, regardless of rank or time on the job!

5

CD

Great Training!

5

B

MCSO
AL

I really enjoyed the duty to intervene class and feel that it’s necessary information for any LEO supervisor.

5

CD

Great Training!

5

JC

Fantastic class. Very informative

5

Ces

Well done.

5

MS

Huntsville Police Department
AL

Knowledgeable instructor. Very thorough class covering Duty to Intervene

5

JW

MCSO
AL

This training was worth the time spent! The instructor knows what he is talking about. I would recommend everyone to attend this class. Great job!

5

JS

Huntsville Police Department

Great class, I would recommend this class for all law enforcement agencies.

5

KR

Awesome training

5

JC

MCSO
AL

Very knowledgeable in the subject matter. Very informative class

5

KK

Huntsville PD
AL

Duty to Intervene was a week delivered and informative class. Recommended for all new officers and supervisors.

5

KR

Awesome training

1

jr

sc

not too good

5

MW

Madison county sheriffs office
Alabama

Very good class.

5

BH

Ia

Did great at explaining the task and answered any of our questions.

5

JL

Iowa

Chris was very knowledgeable and made class enjoyable. He tailored his presentation with Iowa specific case law.

5

CW

Iowa

Was very thorough with his content. Answered every question thrown at him clearly and in language students could understand. Great class and I learned a lot and cleared up a lot of concerns that I had.

5

RV

Chris was very knowledgeable on all topics and made everything simplified and easy to understand

5

BH

Ia

Did great at explaining the task and answered any of our questions.

5

ZO

Iowa

Informative. State specific info.

5

JL

Iowa

Chris was very knowledgeable and made class enjoyable. He tailored his presentation with Iowa specific case law.

5

JH

Iowa

Great instructor that answers questions and details instruction to your area.

5

Leland Williams

IA

Great class. Lots of useful information. Very good Instructor

5

Sperry

Very informational and informative.

5

Sperry

Very informational and informative.

5

TM

SAPD
WV

Quite knowledgeable of all content discussed. Great class, engaging instructor

5

Justin Jones

Charleston PD, WV
West Virginia

Having 15 years on my department and being in investigative units during my tenure I had a good knowledge of search and seizure. But Chris’s class opened my eyes to other aspects I had never thought about. Great class would recommend for any officer.

5

Justin Jones

Charleston PD, WV
West Virginia

Having 15 years on my department and being in investigative units during my tenure I had a good knowledge of search and seizure. But Chris’s class opened my eyes to other aspects I had never thought about. Great class would recommend for any officer.

5

CS

Monongalia C.S.O.
West Virginia

Chris was knowledgeable & a great instructor. I would highly recommend taking a class by this company. I will look for classes in the future with Chris & the company.

5

LAP

SAPD
West Virginia

Very educating and beneficial class for Search and Seizure. Instructor was well spoken and knowledgeable in case law, and kept the class engaged.

5

Aquiles Reyes

Greeley Police
Colorado

Awesome class. Chris is very professional and knowledgeable in the subject. I did not leave this class without learning something new.

5

Chris D

Colorado

This class was very informative. I will use many of the tools that were provided.

5

LH

JCSO
Colorado

Articulate, knowledgeable, approachable and relatable. I highly recommend this class to all law enforcement regardless of experience or role.

5

Stephens

Good class. Chris is very knowledgeable and straightforward. He’s passionate and detailed in teaching.

5

CJ

CCPD
CO

Chris was awesome. Very knowledgeable and would explain thoroughly everything he talked about!

5

Good instruction and knowledge of the material.

5

KS

CO

Great info, good discussions.

5

Brandon O

Royse City Police Department
TX

Knowledgeable instructor. He was able to keep the class engaged and answer all questions thoroughly.

5

Triston Leigh-Manuell

Royse City PD
Tx

Good class. I think every officer should take this or similar. Not necessarily for brand new cops but those 1-2 years and beyond. Instructor was knowledgeable and answered plenty of questions.

5

CB

Rockwall PD
Texas

Amazing class great instruction.

5

Robert O

Collin County Sheriff’s Office
Texas

Great instructor, keeps up-to-date on case law

5

EF

Royse City Police Department
Texas

Chris is an expert and his classes were ABSOLUTELY worth the time spent taking them. Thanks!

5

Toby Bowen

Royse City
TX

Great class. Great clarification on case law. Great pace. Great interaction.

5

GK

Texas

Chris McFarlin presented advanced search and seizure wonderfully. I believe it's a must for every new hire and a great refresher for senior officers and detectives.

5

EL

Temple PD
TX

Great class about Advanced Search Warrants, very informative and great tips to make the muddy water clearer!

5

MW

GPD

Lt. McFarlin taught Advanced Search Warrants at my PD and I found the class very easy to comprehend and enjoyable. Lt. McFarlain took his time to make sure we understood the examples and was happy to answer any additional questions we had. I have enjoyed every Blue to Gold class I have taken and highly recommend them to my colleagues.

5

K. Salt

Leander PD

Clear, concise, and relevant instruction.

5

Daniel Hertzog

Killeen Police Department
Tx

Chris was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. His presentation provided a lot of information and kept us entertained. Would definitely attend another course by him.

5

Kevin Willis

Williamson County Sheriffs Office
TX

I like how Chris “Dumbed” down the material to make it easier to understand.

5

SO

Great class and instructor!

5

Chip

Austin Police Department
Texas

Chris was very knowledgeable and helped us get through some of the more difficult topics. Great Instructor!

5

BL

Williamson County SO
Texas

Very clear and knowledgeable

5

CVB

Austin Police
Texas

Incredible job, thank you!

5

C. Young

LPD
TX

Chris provides excellent instruction and has an expert level grasp on the material. These classes should be mandatory for new officers.

5

SB

I learned a great amount of information in a very short time.

5

Rick Cotto

DPS
TX

Exceptional presentation of the material associated with Search and Seizure and Traffic stops.

5
GPD
TX

Solid instruction, well made instruction aids, knowledgeable teacher and it is obvious he not only enjoys the topic but has an amazing grasp of the topic.

5

CW

Austin PD
TX

Absolutely great instruction! Chris broken down complex concepts into easy to understand chunks.

5

K C

Very well informed about the topics and knowledgable!

5

Joseph Tijerina

TXDPS

Excellent course material with good instruction.

5

GM

Austin PD
Texas

Well done

5

Good training

5

Peter

PCSO
NJ

amazing instructor! The classes were some of the best I have taken to date. Very knowledgeable and information was state relevant. Highly recommend!

5

R. Klein

Paterson
NJ

I took the class on K9 case law. Chris was very knowledgeable on the topic. He’s very well spoken and would recommend this class not to just K9 handlers but to any officer regardless of rank.

5

Matt

NJ

Great instruction! If you work in NJ, I would highly recommend taking this class. Chirs did a great job presenting material that correlates directly to NJ Case Law.

5

N. Pachella

PCSO
NJ

Chris was very knowledgeable on the topic, I was only in one day of the tree day course and wish I had been signed up for more. The search and seizure section was well organized and very informative. Chris was able to answer all questions we had on the subject.

5

K. Deegan

Passaic County Sheriff's Dept.
New Jersey

Thank you!!!! For sending Chris as the instructor for the classes. He was OUTSTANDING!!!! A credit to law enforcement. In all my years of bringing training to Passaic County, I have to say he is one of the best. Brilliant and engaging!

5

A. Gagliostro

BCSO
NJ

Great instructor. Very professional and knowledgeable. Constant interaction with the students and mixing real life with the subject made the class outstanding.

5

Joe Craig

Mantua Township PD
NJ

Chris was very well spoken and informed on the topics he was teaching. Made it an easy and fun learning environment. Will definitely take courses he is teaching again.

5

Det. Stephen Hodges

Goodlettesville Police Department
TENNESSEE

Chris was very relatable and knowledgeable! As far as a law class, this was one of the best classes I have attended. Chris being both a lawyer and an officer was very unique and provided a different perspective on the subject matter.

5

Monica Fonseca

Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
TENNESSEE

While this was a refresher course for me, there were still things I learned. I liked the way the instructor used examples which is good for clarification on issues.

5

S.A. Dusty Thomas

Arkansas

Chris was able to break things down into terms and diagrams that I had not seen before. The open dialogue also allowed for multiple questions on a wide range of topics. Chris is down to earth and his knowledge is second to none! I would gladly take other courses regardless of the topic, if he was the instructor.

5

Dominic

Texas

Your class was the best and most informative I have ever been to! Keep doing what you are doing!

5

K.B.

Pearland PD
Texas

I just completed the Blue to Gold Traffic Stop and Arrest, Search, and Seizure course at my agency. What an absolutely phenomenonal course. I have learned more in the past two days than I did in my Police Academy. The course content was extremely applicable to our daily tasks on the street. I highly recommend these courses and look forward to taking many more in the near future! Thank you Chris McFarlin!

5

Robert Bailey

Jefferson County Texas S.O.

Three days of absolutely great training. Mr. McFarlin is obviously very knowledgeable with case law and has exceptional skills with presenting the material. The class was very engaged due to how everything was explained. Good job Blue to Gold!

Upcoming Training for Chris McFarlin

Passaic County Robert A. Lyons Police Academy
10/22/2024

 – 

10/24/2024

Advanced Criminal Investigations
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bulletproof Report Writing
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bulletproof Courtroom Testimony
Thursday, October 24, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Wayne, NJ - Advanced Criminal Investigation 10-22-2024
$ 225.00
44 available
Wayne, NJ -Bulletproof Report Writing 10-23-2024
$ 225.00
39 available
Wayne, NJ - Bulletproof Courtroom Testimony 10-24-2024
$ 225.00
56 available
Altoona Police Department
11/04/2024

 – 

11/08/2024

Advanced Search & Seizure
Monday, November 4, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Advanced Traffic Stops
Tuesday, November 5, 2024| Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Advanced Criminal Investigations
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Certified Search & Seizure Instructor
Thursday – Friday, November 7 – 8 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Altonna, IA - Advanced Search and Seizure 11-04-2024
$ 225.00
0 available
Sold Out
Altonna, IA - Advanced Traffic Stops 11-05-2024
$ 225.00
0 available
Sold Out
Altonna, IA - Advanced Criminal Investigations 11-06-2024
$ 225.00
6 available
Altonna, IA - Certified Search and Seizure Instructor 11/07-08/2024
$ 545.00
22 available
Wichita Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center
11/12/2024

 – 

11/15/2024

Advanced Search & Seizure
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Advanced Traffic Stops
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bulletproof Report Writing
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

K9 Case Law
Friday, November 15, 2024 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Wichita, KS - Advanced Search and Seizure 11-12-2024
$ 225.00
6 available
Wichita, KS - Advanced Traffic Stops 11-13-2024
$ 225.00
6 available
Wichita, KS - Bulletproof Report Writing 11-14-2024
$ 225.00
17 available
Wichita, KS - K9 Case Law 11-15-2024
$ 225.00
13 available

Experience

Attorney, Legal Instructor – Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training

Lieutenant – Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Training, Research, and Development Manager

DUI/SFST Instructor – South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination – Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Columbia, South Carolina

Sergeant – Pickens Police Department, Pickens, South Carolina

Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice – American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia

Department Chair, Pre-Police Academy Instructor – Criminal Justice, Tri-County Technical College

Summary Court Judge – City of Easley, South Carolina

Attorney at Law, Managing Partner – McFarlin Law Firm, PLLC

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney – 6th Judicial District State of Arkansas

Police Officer – Jonesboro Police Department

Deputy Sheriff – Craighead County Sheriff’s Office

 

Education

Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Juris Doctor

Moot Court Competition- Best Litigation Team Designation

First Responder Wills Clinic, Pro Bono

Phi Alpha Delta, International Law Fraternity, President, Barbara C. Jordan Chapter

Dean’s List Recipient

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, – General Studies

South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy

Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer- Certification

 

Subject Matter Expert

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

 

Industry Conference Presentations and Lectures

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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