How to build a Real Time Crime Center

The implementation of technology has transformed public safety, from body cameras to digital evidence collection. A Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) integrates public safety best practices with state-of-the-art technology to enhance citizen safety and security. RTCCs are increasingly common, with operations in over half of U.S. states.

While "Real Time Crime Center" is a common designation, agencies may use other names like Real Time Operations Center (ROC) or Real Time Analysis Center. This guide offers a starting point and considerations, not a prescriptive model. Success often comes from starting small, utilizing existing tools, and expanding over time.

Consider these directives for your Real Time Crime Center:

1. Prevent and deter criminal activity from happening.
2. Identify and monitor criminal activity as it occurs in real time.
3. Capture video evidence to support prosecution in cases of criminal activity.
4. Provide response training and post-incident review.
5. Support inter-agency and cross-jurisdiction collaboration and coordination.

By establishing a blueprint and combining the right mix of people, technology, and processes, an agency can build an RTCC that achieves fundamental public safety goals.

"You have to have a team that understands the goal and intended outcome at the beginning of your [RTCC] launch point... you have to at least start with a canvas of understanding what you're intending to solve for and the intended outcome is going to be."

- Chief James White, Detroit Police Department, from the Police1 Webinar: How to Build Community and Stakeholder Support for Real-Time Intelligence Operations.

Equipment

What are the physical requirements for a Real Time Crime Center?

Assessing physical requirements is crucial. Ensure your agency has adequate space for staff and equipment, or plan to create it. A basic RTCC requires:

• A desk or table and chair for each operator and supervisor.
• A computer with multiple monitors for each operator (a single monitor can cause delays and reduced efficiency).
• Ensure computers run up-to-date operating systems and have sufficient processing power for multiple programs, including video capabilities.
• Radios or an integrated radio console for communication with dispatch and field officers.
• Phones (landline and mobile).

For briefings with command staff, outside agencies, or visitors, consider extra chairs, a large conference table, and conferencing equipment (phones, webcams, conference lines). A separate room for briefings can prevent disruption to RTCC operations.

Even a small RTCC involves significant technological and computing equipment. Key considerations include:

• Power Supply: Ensure it's sufficient and safe for all equipment. Avoid overloading a single power strip or outlet.
• HVAC: The room's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system must keep the space cool when fully equipped and staffed. Additional ventilation or cooling may be necessary.

Most importantly, verify that all equipment functions correctly. Ensure computers are capable of running the necessary technology. Consult your IT department to confirm system compatibility and data flow into the RTCC, or establish a plan for infrastructure and compatibility. Involve IT from the initial planning stages for infrastructure support and future growth consultation.

How to layout desks and equipment in a Real Time Crime Center

Once space is allocated, create a blueprint before installing equipment. Each operator should have a dedicated station with monitors. Stations should be close enough for easy consultation and collaboration.

Large wall-mounted monitors should be visible to all operators and visitors, allowing for screen mirroring and supervisor oversight without direct distraction. The RTCC supervisor determines content displayed on wall monitors.

• Pro tip 1: Consider a video wall backdrop with your agency logo for visitor photos.
• Pro tip 2: A room with a window allows leadership and other departments to view proceedings without disrupting operations.

People

Selecting the right personnel is vital for RTCC success. Staff should be passionate about the mission and possess technological skills and comfort with new processes. While RTCC-specific training is provided, a foundational ease with technology is important. RTCC operators need technological fluency and relevant knowledge to support ongoing incidents. All staff must be vetted due to access to sensitive information.

Sworn versus civilian personnel in a Real Time Crime Center

RTCCs can be staffed by sworn or civilian personnel, each offering unique benefits. Sworn officers bring an innate understanding of field operations, legal training, and local knowledge, aiding in incident assessment and prioritizing officer safety. Experienced sworn officers offer unmatched knowledge of their working areas.

Civilian personnel are valuable, especially given sworn shortages. With proper training, civilians can operate cameras, learn the area, and conduct analyses. They do not require patrol-specific physical requirements, making RTCC roles an ideal place to utilize civilian employees. If staffing solely with civilians, consider additional law enforcement training for probable cause and radio communication protocols. An ideal RTCC utilizes a mix of sworn and civilian operators.

What does a Real Time Crime Center analyst do?

RTCC staff often include analysts responsible for correlating data from multiple sources to generate investigative or forensic leads. Crime analysis capacity, including hotspotting and trend analysis, helps direct the center's focus. Analyst roles can be filled by both sworn and civilian personnel.

The RTCC's commanding officer should design a comprehensive training program covering technology use and legal considerations of CCTV footage. Ensure all personnel are properly trained and qualified, whether civilian analysts or sworn officers.

Where can I find training for Real Time Crime Center personnel?

• International Association of Crime Analysts (iaca)
• National Real Time Crime Center Association
• U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)'s National Training and Technical Assistance Center
• The Florida Crime and Intelligence Analyst Association

Chain of command & department structure for a Real Time Crime Center

Establishing a clear command structure is essential. A supervisor should be present for every shift to guide operators. A commanding officer oversees operability, policy, training, and the center's physical creation, ensuring accountability.

Consider how the RTCC integrates structurally within the agency. Identify existing units it will work with and define responsibilities. Close contact with the Crime Analysis Unit is crucial for crime trend information. Detective Units should consult the RTCC for investigative leads. This prevents duplication of effort and ensures the RTCC supports other agency functions.

Involve PSAP supervisors and dispatchers early in the RTCC setup process. Ensure clear understanding of responsibilities, communication protocols, and procedures for supporting calls for service. Document these determinations in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

What access security should I consider for a Real Time Crime Center?

Access security is paramount. RTCCs can attract interest from various agency personnel. Establish clear guidelines for who can access the center and its data, and how information is disseminated. Consult Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) standards for guidance on keycard entry and sign-in logs. Balance the RTCC's role as an information hub with robust security measures.

How does the community engage with a Real Time Crime Center?

The RTCC is integral to community engagement. It can reassure the public about camera usage and demonstrate the agency's commitment to safety. RTCCs contribute to increased on-scene awareness, officer safety, faster investigative leads, and more closed cases. Communicate these benefits through press statements and social media. Highlight "success stories" to educate the public on the RTCC's value. Community members can also be valuable RTCC team members.

A major city can manage as many as 32,000 video feeds. The average U.S. city has six video cameras for every 1,000 residents (Source: 2022 comparitech study).

Technology

What technology is needed in a Real Time Crime Center?

Begin with existing technology, such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) data or license plate hot lists. Address challenges posed by disparate systems to enable quick access and real-time incident connection. Integrating technologies maximizes the likelihood of effective real-time crime response.

Consider utilizing these technologies in your RTCC:

• Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping
• 9-1-1 call systems and call transcription tools
• Computer-Aided Dispatch systems
• Officer and unit location tracking
• Real-time alerts (e.g., gunshot detection, mobile panic buttons)
• "Smart city" sensor-related data (e.g., water levels, critical infrastructure data)
• Video systems and archives
• License plate recognition technology and databases
• State and national databases
• Records and evidence management systems

As a centralized information hub, map data sources to provide location-based context for pre- or mid-incident analysis. Leverage existing GIS resources like fire hydrants, patrol zones, and records management systems for geospatial insights.

What video technology is used in a Real Time Crime Center?

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are a critical component. Camera quality, control (fixed vs. pan, tilt, zoom - PTZ), connection type, and public visibility (overt vs. semi-covert) vary significantly.

Inventory your agency's cameras by assessing:

• Inventory: Total number of cameras.
• Location: Where each camera is installed.
• Labeling: Clarity and ease of understanding camera names/labels.
• Status: Whether each camera is working properly.
• Visibility: If cameras are obstructed (e.g., by light poles or dirt).

Build a database of camera attributes for future maintenance, additions, and system integration.

System Integration and Other Technologies

Expand CCTV coverage through partnerships with other government or municipal entities (e.g., public transportation, housing authorities, school systems). Integrate business CCTV feeds (retail stores, gas stations) via public-private partnerships to increase camera coverage and community safety perception.

Utilize camera registry programs to manage data and liaise with the community and investigators for efficient post-incident investigation and evidence collection.

The primary software requirement for an RTCC is a video and data integration platform, allowing operators to access multiple camera feeds efficiently. Integration with 9-1-1 call systems and CAD provides enhanced context for incidents, potentially enabling faster incident disposition.

Beyond video, RTCCs can integrate other beneficial technologies:

• Gunshot detection systems: Provide real-time alerts for gunfire location, supplementing CCTV with evidence and improving response times.
• License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems: Scan plates, check databases for warrants or stolen vehicles, and integrate with CCTV to generate investigative leads.
• Video analytics software: Processes CCTV data to flag specific events or content, increasing operator efficiency.

Invest in software that integrates resources and limits disparate sources for optimal operator efficiency.

Watch the Police1 Webinar: What are the most critical technology integrations for real-time intelligence operations?

WATCH THE VIDEO NOW

Process

Establishing day-to-day processes for RTCC personnel is as important as technology and staffing.

Are Real Time Crime Centers proactive or reactive to crime?

RTCCs are both proactive and reactive. They react to priority incidents by providing video support and investigative assistance. Proactively, they use analytical techniques like crime pattern identification to focus monitoring efforts on high-priority locations.

What are the best hours to staff a Real Time Crime Center?

Ideally, an RTCC should be staffed 24/7/365. If this is not feasible due to budget or personnel constraints, conduct an analysis of peak call and crime times to determine appropriate shift schedules.

Centralized versus Decentralized Real Time Crime Centers

A centralized RTCC offers a wider, regional scope, enabling comprehensive crime pattern analysis and resource sharing across jurisdictions. However, it may be less connected to specific community areas. A decentralized RTCC focuses on a particular area, allowing for hyper-vigilance and embedded community support. This model is effective for larger agencies or pilot programs.

"The centralized model allows one team of people to get a big picture of what's going on in the city, things that cross precinct boundaries, crime patterns, and they're able to look at all of that. In the decentralized model, they are able to focus on one smaller area and one of the advantages for us is that the officers and detectives have a personal connection to the information that's available in the crime center."

- Assistant Chief David Lavalley, Detroit Police Department

Additional considerations: how a Real Time Crime Center can improve officer and civilian safety

CCTV systems and RTCC monitoring significantly improve community safety by deterring crime and aiding prosecution. They are also paramount for officer safety, providing real-time information on offender descriptions, weapon presence, and situational awareness during arrests or when awaiting backup.

Real Time Crime Center information sharing in real time and beyond

RTCC information is valuable only when shared effectively. Real-time communication between RTCC operators and responders is critical. Post-incident, share potential information and investigative leads with detectives and judicial partners. Relay discovered crime patterns or trends to patrol units. Establish procedures for distributing briefings and ensure clear communication among shift personnel for efficient resource utilization.

Implementing Real Time Crime Center policies

Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering the RTCC's purpose, structure, and responsibilities. Address legal responsibilities and civil liberties related to camera usage. Train operators on monitoring protocols and the appropriate use of footage. Establish policies for maintaining video evidence integrity, storage, and dissemination. Avoid monitoring private areas. Train operators on probable cause for monitoring individuals and the duration of such monitoring. Stay updated on legal developments concerning the Fourth Amendment and video surveillance, consulting legal counsel as needed.

About the author

Nicole Izbicky, Manager of the Cloud Solution Specialist team at Motorola Solutions, specializes in the Command Central suite. She has a proven ability to synthesize data into actionable insights and believes an intelligence-led model strengthens the justice system. Nicole is passionate about data-driven approaches and has a background in forensic psychology and experience with the Chicago Police Department as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst, where she worked in a real-time crime center.

Are you just getting started with your Real Time Crime Center and looking for resources and guidance? Contact Motorola Solutions for a sample RTCC policy and other resources.

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