Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Continuing with the Delaware State Police Centennial Anniversary, We Highlight the Second Troop

Date Posted: Thursday, June 8th, 2023

The idea for the construction of the Delaware State Police “State Road” building was first conceived in the 1930s. A plot of land along DuPont Highway in New Castle, situated just south of Hares Corner, was selected as the location for the building. The building served as the headquarters of the DSP until the late 1950s, while the second floor was reserved for patrol troopers until 1950.

In response to the opening of the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the resulting increase in traffic, a two-story building was constructed at the junction of US 13 and US 40 in 1950 to house Troop 2. Known as the “Ferry Boat” due to its unique design, the building served as Troop 2 until February 1958, when DSP Headquarters was relocated to Dover. Troop 2 personnel, consisting of approximately sixty patrol troopers and eight detectives, then moved back into the “State Road” building.

In January 1977, all detectives in New Castle County were consolidated under one roof at the Troop 2 “State Road” building. Meanwhile, all patrol troopers were assigned to other Troops specifically for patrol purposes. The State Road building continued to serve as the headquarters for New Castle County’s detectives until 2003.

The Troop 2 building, situated on twelve acres on US 40 in Glasgow, was unveiled in 2003. Covering an area of 53,000 square feet, it is the largest troop in the state and domiciles around fifty patrol troopers who serve the Newark, Bear, and New Castle regions. In addition, approximately seventy-five detectives, who make up various special investigative units such as the Major Crimes Unit, Robbery Unit, Property Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Evidence Detection Unit, Youth Aid Unit, School Resource Officers, and more, are assigned to Troop 2 and serve all of New Castle County. The Troop 2 facility is comprised of six interview rooms, eight temporary holding cells, three temporary detention rooms, and a spacious community room, among other features.

“It’s been an honor to serve at Troop 2 in various ranks and roles over the past twenty years and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as Troop Commander the past two years,” said Captain John Laird Jr. “It is a very busy troop and I witness first-hand each and every day the dedication and sacrifices that these fine men and women make for their fellow citizens in the first state.”