Security Guard Services in Dover, DE

See the Delaware page for coverage across Delaware.

Retail Districts Covered in Dover

Security coverage is available across Dover’s main commercial areas, including:

• Downtown Dover and Loockerman Street
• The Green and First State Heritage Park
• Legislative Hall and the Capitol area
• Dover Mall on North Dupont Highway
• The U.S. Route 13 corridor
• Dover Motor Speedway area

Security Considerations in Dover

As the capital, Dover is home to Legislative Hall, where the Delaware General Assembly convenes on the second Tuesday in January and meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until June 30. Session days bring legislators, staff, advocates and visitors into downtown, so nearby offices, restaurants and parking areas benefit from access control and lobby procedures set to the legislative calendar.

Dover Mall sits on North Dupont Highway (U.S. Route 13), a short distance south of the Delaware Route 1 interchange. Because Delaware has no sales tax, retail centers along the corridor draw shoppers from neighboring states, and stores need officers who can manage busy weekends and holidays and coordinate with property management.

Dover Motor Speedway hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race in May 2026, the first time the event was held in the Northeast. Race weekends bring large crowds to the speedway, the adjacent casino resort, hotels and restaurants along Route 13. Delaware State University and Dover Air Force Base, home of the Air Mobility Command Museum, add a steady population of students, service members and visitors throughout the year.

Security Services in Dover

Screening, Training and Supervision

Officers complete a five-stage screening process and tier-based training before assignment, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition. Supervisors make unannounced site visits, and the McCray Operations Desk answers 24/7/365. Incidents are documented on scene, and clients receive reports in the same format at every location.

Delaware Licensing

The Delaware State Police Professional Licensing Section licenses security guards and security agencies, with the Board of Examiners of Private Security overseeing the industry. A guard needs an unarmed Security Guard license, known as the Yellow Card, which requires an approved training program, a state exam passed with a score of at least 75 percent, fingerprinting for a state and federal background check, and employment by a licensed Delaware security agency. Armed guards also need the firearms upgrade, known as the Red Card, after a 40-hour firearms course, with requalification every calendar year. Delaware does not recognize security licenses issued by other states.

Common Questions

Can Coverage Be Added for Race Weekends?

Yes. Hotels, restaurants and retailers near Dover Motor Speedway and along Route 13 can schedule added officers for event weekends, briefed in advance on parking, traffic and crowd procedures.

Are Armed Officers Available in Dover?

Armed posts require officers who hold the Delaware Red Card in addition to the Yellow Card and who complete the annual firearms qualification. Armed coverage is assigned after a review of each site’s risk, lease and insurance requirements. For most retail posts, McCray generally recommends unarmed officers focused on deterrence and customer service.

Can Coverage Follow the Legislative Calendar in Dover?

Yes. Offices, associations and businesses near Legislative Hall can add lobby and access control coverage for the January to June 30 session and scale it back when the session ends.

How Is Security Guard Coverage Priced?

Rates depend on the officer classification, hours, schedule and site requirements. McCray provides a written rate schedule after reviewing the needs of each site. Holiday, overnight and short-notice coverage is billed at a premium rate.