Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What services does McCray provide?

McCray provides armed and unarmed security officers, retail security and loss prevention support, luxury retail asset protection, concierge and lobby security, doorman staffing, mobile patrol, executive protection support, special event security, fire watch, off-duty police officers, warehouse and construction site security, remote video monitoring and security risk assessments. See all services.

How does a new security program start?

Most programs start with a security assessment. McCray reviews the site, its hours, its history and the client’s concerns, then recommends the type and number of officers for each post. On-site assessments are available at no cost or obligation. Post Orders are then written for each location, and the officer tier for each post is confirmed in the Statement of Work.

What information helps McCray scope coverage?

The site address, the hours that need coverage, the main concerns and any requirements set by a landlord, insurer or corporate policy. For an event, the date, venue, guest count and schedule. For a fire watch, which systems are out of service and what the fire authority has asked for.

How is security coverage priced?

Rates depend on the officer classification, armed or unarmed status, hours, schedule and site requirements. McCray provides a written rate schedule after reviewing each site’s needs. Holiday, overnight and short-notice coverage is billed at a premium rate. For an overview of what drives the cost of contract security, see How Much Do Security Guards Cost?

Can coverage be booked for a single event or a short period?

Yes. Event coverage can be added to an existing daily program or booked on its own, for store openings, trunk shows, product launches, private client events, trade shows and seasonal periods. See Special Event Security.

Officers and Training

How are McCray officers screened?

Every officer completes a five-stage screening process before assignment, and McCray verifies each officer’s license and training before the first shift.

What training do officers receive?

Officers complete tier-based training, including de-escalation, and officers assigned to retail posts are trained in organized retail crime recognition before they work a store floor. Before taking a post, officers review the Post Orders for that location and complete assignment-specific training.

What is the Officer Classification Program?

McCray staffs posts by tier. Tier I officers hold a state-issued security license and complete site-specific field training. Tier II officers have three or more years of experience and add active shooter and de-escalation training. Tier III officers are retired law enforcement officers with 20 or more years of sworn service, an armed license and annual firearm qualification. Tier IV officers are off-duty police officers, where the local agency permits. See the Officer Classification Program.

Do officers wear uniforms?

Most posts are uniformed. On boutique and flagship floors, officers can wear business attire, and plainclothes coverage is available for stores that want a lower profile. The attire for each post is set in the Post Orders.

Do officers physically intervene in a theft or dispute?

Officers observe, report, de-escalate and escalate. They summon law enforcement rather than intervene physically, except where both the law and the Post Orders for that assignment authorize otherwise. Officers support a client’s own asset protection policies. They do not replace them.

Armed and Unarmed Coverage

When is an armed officer appropriate?

Armed coverage may be appropriate for stores with very high-value inventory, locations with a history of armed robbery or violent incidents, cash handling and high-value deliveries, and sites where a landlord, insurer or corporate policy requires it. Armed posts are assigned only after a review of the site’s risk, lease and insurance requirements. See Armed vs. Unarmed Security Officers for Retail.

Who staffs armed posts?

Armed posts are filled only with Tier III retired law enforcement officers or Tier IV off-duty officers where permitted. See Armed Security Guard Services.

Does McCray recommend armed officers for luxury boutiques?

Generally, no. For luxury boutiques, McCray generally recommends unarmed officers focused on deterrence and client service. Some clients use unarmed officers during regular hours and add armed coverage for high-risk periods, such as holiday weekends, product launches or after a nearby incident.

Can McCray arrange off-duty police officers?

Yes, where the local agency permits it. Off-duty officers work under their agency’s rules for secondary employment, which can limit locations, hours and duties. In New York City, off-duty NYPD officers are arranged through the NYPD Paid Detail Unit, and McCray helps clients set up and coordinate those details. See Off-Duty Police Officer Services and Off-Duty Police Officers for Retail.

Licensing

Do security officers need a state license?

Licensing requirements are set by each state and differ widely. In New York, the Department of State registers security guards, who complete an 8-hour pre-assignment course, a 16-hour on-the-job course and 8 hours of annual in-service training. In California, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services issues the Security Guard Registration. Florida requires a Class D security officer license, Illinois requires a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), and Texas requires a noncommissioned security officer license for unarmed work. Each location page on the Service Areas page lists the local requirements.

What additional licensing do armed officers need?

Armed officers must meet additional state requirements. Examples include a BSIS Firearms Permit in California, a Class G license in Florida, a security officer commission (Level III training) in Texas, a Firearm Control Card in Illinois and an armed guard registration in New York. McCray verifies every armed officer’s license and qualification before assignment.

Who sets fire watch requirements?

The local fire authority sets fire watch requirements, including how often rounds are made and any certificate the watch officer must hold. In New York City, the FDNY requires fire guards who hold a Certificate of Fitness. Clients should confirm the authority’s requirements before coverage begins so McCray can write them into the Post Orders. See Fire Watch Security and FDNY Fire Guard Requirements.

Operations and Reporting

What are Post Orders?

Post Orders are the written instructions for each location, built around its layout, hours and risk. They set out where the officer stands, what to watch, who to report to and when to escalate. Officers review them before taking post, and they are updated when a site’s needs change.

How are officers supervised?

Supervisors make unannounced site visits to check presentation and adherence to Post Orders. The McCray Operations Desk answers 24/7/365, and calls reach a live person in English or Spanish.

How are incidents documented?

Every shift starts with a GPS-confirmed clock-in. Incidents are documented on scene, time-stamped and GPS-verified, with photographs, in the same report format at every location.

Does McCray review performance with clients?

Yes. Coverage and incidents are reviewed with the client in a Monthly Operational Review and a Quarterly Business Review.

Coverage Areas and Careers

Where does McCray provide coverage?

McCray supports security programs across the United States and in international markets. See Service Areas for current markets and city pages such as New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Can the same standard run across many locations?

Yes. Screening, supervision and the reporting format stay the same at every location, while Post Orders are written for each site around its layout, hours and risk. See Multi-Site Security Programs.

How can officers apply to work with McCray?

McCray hires for roles from entry-level officers to retired law enforcement, with weekly pay, and eligible employees are offered medical, dental and vision coverage and a 401(k) with match. See Careers for open positions, or email hr@mccraygp.com with questions.