The role of real-time crime centers in modern policing

With police technology gathering more information than ever, agencies need a way to process and prioritize their incoming data. Real-time crime centers (RTCCs) are a popular solution, with more agencies building standalone RTCCs and integrating real-time intelligence into their day-to-day operations.

Agencies that successfully incorporate RTCCs are able to improve officers’ situational awareness, speed up investigations, and enhance collaboration opportunities. But to accomplish these goals, they must leverage video feeds, social media, and data integration platforms. Keep reading to learn how RTCCs operate and what they need to succeed. 

What do real-time crime centers do?

RTCCs provide a centralized space to monitor, review, and process real-time inputs from external sources, such as CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, license plate recognition (LPR) systems, and gunshot detection systems. From this hub, dispatchers may field 911 calls and relay effective directions and pertinent information to responding personnel. RTCC analysts also leverage real-time intelligence to aid in proactive and reactive policing efforts.

However, effective RTCCs should impact every level of operations. For instance, investigators can use historical information to identify leads and close cases, while command staff rely on RTCC insights to optimize resource allocation and streamline incident response.

What benefits do real-time crime centers provide?

As innovators in real-time operations advertise their successes, more agencies across the U.S. have started building their own RTCCs. Each agency must design its RTCC based on its priorities, budget, staff, and community needs, but ultimately, investing in real-time technology offers the same benefits at any size.

Faster incident response 

With information provided by surveillance cameras, LPRs, and gunshot detection systems, RTCC personnel can be virtually “on the scene” in seconds. Dispatchers and analysts are trained to quickly navigate the barrage of real-time inputs to identify critical information and deliver it to field officers efficiently. For example, they might locate a fleeing suspect, capture and send an image of a vehicle to pursue, or use a dynamic map to proactively identify a crime spree.

This results in better-coordinated efforts, optimized resource allocation, and improved response times. Agencies may even achieve “negative” response times by stopping crimes before they occur. 

Streamlined investigations

RTCCs also make investigations more efficient. Real-time inputs may capture evidence, reveal suspects, or identify a vehicle’s location. With readily accessible information, investigators can spend more time on active leads rather than wasting time on red herrings. For instance, an investigator working on a missing person case might rely on several CCTV inputs, LPR scans, and social media posts to identify the individual’s location or possible connections.

Improved officer safety

RTCCs help increase officers’ situational awareness, reduce information overload, and decrease backup response times. Consider field officers responding to a call for service (CFS) — by walking into an unknown situation, they could be making themselves vulnerable to potentially life-threatening risks. But with access to real-time intelligence, they can quickly get additional context and take precautionary measures as needed.

For example, an RTCC analyst might uncover and relay a suspect’s criminal background or previous CFS from a particular address, giving the officer a chance to prepare for a dangerous scenario. RTCC personnel can also access the officer’s BWC footage to gather identifying information about a suspect, provide directions, or call for backup.

Stronger interagency collaboration

RTCCs can enhance communication between local, county, and state public agencies. Effective interagency collaboration requires having a shared view of common issues, such as cross-jurisdictional crime, overdoses, and homelessness. Processing information through an RTCC helps agencies monitor issues, identify hotspots to direct shared resources, understand where agency efforts overlap, and track effectiveness.

What technology is used in real-time crime centers?

Without context, dozens of real-time inputs can result in information overload. To streamline investigations, improve officer safety, and support multi-agency efforts, an RTCC relies on expert integration of police technologies. Explore a few pillars of real-time technology below.

Live video feeds

Stereotypical RTCCs look like a huge wall of TVs. While that might not be the reality for every agency, live video feeds do provide a critical foundation for real-time operations. RTCC personnel can access both agency-owned infrastructure and external sources, with permission. Examples include: 

• Body-worn cameras

• CCTV footage

• Traffic cameras

• Security feeds 

LPR systems

LPR systems continuously scan, identify, and read license plates on passing vehicles. This data enables RTCC analysts to locate vehicles of interest and direct responding personnel to the correct areas. This is especially useful when tracking vehicles involved in suspected crimes, hit-and-runs, or missing persons cases. Investigators can also review LPR systems’ logs for leads.

Social media feeds

RTCC personnel might leverage social media feeds, hashtags, or keyword searches to gather intelligence, look for evidence, or identify potential threats. Analysts can also locate individuals using geolocation information on their social media posts. Responding officers don’t have time to sift through various platforms, but real-time personnel can use social media feeds to distill information, identify leads, and save time.

Data integration software

Each piece of real-time intelligence gathers potentially useful information, but that information is much more powerful in context. One way to improve RTCC operations is by investing in an efficient data integration platform. 

Data integration software unifies disparate sources including LPRs, surveillance cameras, and the agency’s records management systems (RMS) and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems. Integration makes real-time operations possible by cleaning, organizing, and visualizing all data sources in a single pane of glass. It also fills in gaps for areas that aren’t covered by other surveillance systems. For example, personnel can quickly search historical RMS and CAD data for a specific person or area, then communicate relevant information to a responding officer.

Benefits of data integration in an RTCC

Effective data integration provides a common operating picture for all RTCC personnel. In this fast-paced environment, seconds matter and miscommunications might have severe consequences. A data integration platform helps reduce the noise by harmonizing disparate datasets. Rather than manually clicking through multiple screens, RTCC personnel can see everything at once, delivering context and actionable information immediately.

Integration platforms also ingest and catalog real-time intelligence so investigators can set up alerts or access information later to solve cases. An analyst might use unified RTCC data to identify crime sprees or hotspots, helping inform the agency’s resource allocation. With access to cohesive information, agency leadership can make data-driven decisions, track their department’s actions and progress, and communicate effectively with other public safety agencies. 

Harness the power of real-time crime intelligence

Real-time public safety operations rely on cutting-edge police technology such as LPR systems, video footage, and social media feeds. But to operate effectively, RTCCs need a data integration platform to unify all of those real-time inputs. Peregrine supports real-time operations at law enforcement agencies around the country, helping RTCC personnel uncover contextualized, mission-critical information in seconds. To discover how Peregrine powers real-time operations to increase officer safety and streamline operations, request a demo.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about real-time crime centers

What do real-time crime centers do?

A real-time crime center acts as a centralized hub for police technology, providing live information and analytics to support investigations and field operations. An RTCC might be manned by both sworn and civilian personnel in a police department.

What are the benefits of real-time crime centers?

Real-time crime centers allow public safety agencies to provide immediate, up-to-date information to officers responding to calls for service. This enhances officer safety and improves the effectiveness of interventions and field operations.

What technology is used in real-time crime centers?

Common technology used in real-time crime centers includes LPR systems, gunshot detection systems, video surveillance systems, and CAD systems for 911 calls. An RTCC also uses advanced analytics software, often powered by AI, to make sense of the real-time information.