401 W. Kern
McFarland, CA
(661) 792-2121
Fax (661) 792-3558

The area known as McFarland was first homesteaded in the 1860’s. In 1874 the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the Central Pacific, extended its tracks from a community called Delano to Sumner, east of Bakersfield. By the time James Boyd McFarland discovered the area in 1907, the community then known as Hunt’s Siding had grown to about 50 families. There was no town then, just livestock pens.

J.B. McFarland came to California from Zanesville, Ohio. While visiting northern Kern County in 1907, McFarland liked the way things grew around the area. He enlisted William Laird who was a prominent individual in the real estate business and was involved in the banking business in Bakersfield. Laird assisted McFarland in the purchase of the original townsite known today as the City of McFarland. McFarland later went on to serve as a member of the Kern County Board of Supervisors and served on the Grand Jury.

In 1957 the City of McFarland incorporated and formed its own police department. Within a few years the police department staff numbered six sworn officers. After the incorporation of McFarland the name was eventually dropped from the Sheriff's Department area name. The Sheriff’s Department continued to provide services to the rural areas around the cities of Delano and McFarland from the Lexington station.

In 1991 McFarland closed down its police department and the city contracted with the Sheriff Office for police services. The McFarland Substation is the former police building next to city hall. In 1997, the station was expanded with the addition of three offices and a squad room with desks for the deputies.

Today the McFarland City Substation personnel consist of one sergeant, one senior deputy, eight patrol deputies and two Office Service Technicians.