Chris McFarlin

Chris McFarlin, Attorney and Legal Instructor for Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training, brings a rare combination of frontline law enforcement service, prosecutorial experience, judicial service, and higher education leadership to his instruction. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law and a master’s degree in criminal justice, with academic and professional work focused on the intersection of policing, constitutional law, and human performance. His career reflects a sustained commitment to improving lawful, effective, and defensible law enforcement practices.

He has served in numerous operational and legal roles, including police officer and sergeant, reserve deputy sheriff, deputy prosecuting attorney, and summary court judge. As a prosecutor, he evaluated investigations, litigated criminal cases, advised agencies on the legality of police actions, and partnered with task forces on complex matters such as official misconduct and asset forfeiture. As a judge, he presided over trials, issued search warrants, set bonds, and ensured constitutional protections were properly applied. This broad experience gives him a clear understanding of how law enforcement decisions are scrutinized from the street through the courtroom.

In addition to his legal and policing background, Chris has extensive experience as a trainer, consultant, and college level instructor, having taught criminal justice and legal courses at multiple universities and academies nationwide. He is a published author on policing and legal topics and is frequently invited to speak at national law enforcement conferences. Agencies value his ability to explain case law, use of force considerations, and liability issues in a practical, direct manner that officers can immediately apply in real world situations.