Transforming how agencies respond and investigate
Developing a real time policing capability requires more than just new hardware; it requires a strategic integration of technology and tactics. This resource provides a comprehensive roadmap for building real time response that supports patrol and investigations.
How agencies can cut through information overload, get critical intelligence to the right people and turn real-time information into better operational outcomes
From information overload to actionable intelligence in policing
Lt. Eugene Kim explains how agencies can connect people, processes and technology to turn a flood of public safety data into intelligence officers can use
NRTCCA 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
From weapons and floor plans to relationships, behavioral history and 911 audio, the right intelligence can help crisis negotiators work toward a safe resolution
An effective real-time crime center begins with a clearly defined purpose — then aligns its people, technology and workflows around delivering that value
From hiring and training to managing expectations and protecting employee wellness, experienced RTCC leaders identify what supervisors need to build an effective center
Oakland’s phased ALPR rollout, centralized triage and task-tracking system show how an RTCC can coordinate leads, investigative work and field resources
Miami Beach police Lt. Raymond Diaz shared lessons on staffing, civilian training, DFR, technology purchases, funding and cross-agency coordination
San Francisco police described how centralized drone pilots, mobile launches and real-time intelligence support investigations, tactical operations and emergency response
Skydio CEO Adam Bry explains how greater reliability, autonomous flight and specialized aircraft could allow agencies to expand DFR without adding one operator for every drone
Sinek challenged public safety leaders to invest as deliberately in trust, purpose and human skills as they do in rapidly advancing technology
From counterfeit credentials and AI-generated images to players moving beyond official events, the World Cup security operation extended far beyond the stadium
FEATURED CONTENT
Acting Chief Eric Watson shares how a city-operated Real-Time Information Center evolved into a regional resource through reciprocal partnerships, shared investment and operational value
Real-time policing moves fast. The agencies that make it work are the ones that slow down first to fix staffing, policy, workflow and trust
An Indiana county’s RTIC uses shared systems, agency staffing and real-time 911 access to support public safety across jurisdictional lines
Success depends on cross-agency collaboration, clear leadership and community trust in how technology is used
From drone-assisted arrests to rapid suspect identification, agencies are showing what it takes to move real time crime centers from concept to real-world impact
Agencies that fail to build and protect dedicated tech units risk slower cases, wasted resources and operational blind spots
ALPR remains one of policing’s most powerful investigative tools, but agencies that cannot demonstrate disciplined oversight risk legal challenges, public backlash and the loss of a critical technology
On the anniversary of Officer Justin Hare’s killing by Jaremy Smith, New Mexico officials reflect on how LPR technology might have changed the outcome
From camera integration and AI tools to encrypted information-sharing groups and World Cup planning, public and private partners are creating a two-way security ecosystem
REAL TIME POLICING RESOURCES & WEBINARS
REAL TIME CRIME CENTER PROFILES
With a focus on camera integration and community outreach, this metro Atlanta agency’s RTCC has become a magnet and role model for neighboring agencies
Launched as the nation’s first RTCC in 2005, New York City’s integrated technology hub provides vital information for patrol officers and detectives
Learn how this agency effectively uses advanced technology for both large-scale event management and real-time crime prevention and response
Establishing a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) is helping this Washington state county respond to, investigate and resolve more criminal cases than ever before
Southwest Florida is hurricane country, and Lee County’s real time intelligence center is always on the watch for extreme weather before, during and after it happens
Having 911 access helps crime analysts in the Chino Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center do their job proactively and effectively
DRONE AS FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAMS
As drone operations rapidly expand, public safety agencies must prepare for a future of shared, increasingly complex airspace
Departments are scaling DFR programs quickly, but without aviation-level structure, training and risk management, capability can outpace safety
Download a practical leadership framework for evaluating, planning and scaling Drone as First Responder programs
What early adopters of Drone as First Responder programs learned
DRONERESPONDERS founder Charles Werner shares the implementation strategies every agency should understand before launching a Drone as First Responder program
DFR PROGRAMS IN ACTION
Prosper Police Department’s CAD-integrated DFR program shows how early aerial perspective — paired with patrol drones and grant-supported partnerships — can help growing agencies adjust response in real time
By cutting response times and boosting situational awareness, the agency is making patrol safer and more efficient
By integrating DFR operations into its real time information center, Elk Grove PD is enhancing situational awareness, community trust and officer safety
Scottsdale Police didn’t follow a template; it built a Drone as First Responder program designed around its terrain, staffing and commitment to transparency
Irving PD’s drones beat officers to the scene in over half of calls — and as civilian drone use grows, the agency is investing in tools to detect and manage airspace threats
With response times under a minute, real-time intelligence and a focus on de-escalation, Montgomery County’s Drone as First Responder program is redefining public safety
BUDGETING & FUNDING
At this year’s NRTCCA conference, Lexipol’s Samantha Dorm detailed how law enforcement can leverage grants to build and sustain real-time crime centers
Learn how to plan, fund and sustain a real time crime center with practical steps, proven funding sources and strategies to build community trust
From pilot staffing to community transparency, a successful DFR program demands strategic planning and smart investment — here’s what every agency needs to consider
Learn how to secure the funding you need to launch and sustain a DFR program that enhances officer safety, speeds response and improves community outcomes
REAL TIME POLICING NEWS
- Video: Would-be art thief caught after Ariz. PD drone spots him hiding on roof
- ‘Saved us hours in overtime': Pa. PD launches DFR program
- Video: N.M. deputies disarm children, ages 7 and 9, after standoff with loaded gun
- Ala. PD to invest $1.5M in 16 new drones
- Okla. PD’s drone program credited in rescue of man struck by train
- Real time crime center video shows suspect striking New Orleans officer with vehicle before OIS
- Video: Man rams cruisers, nearly pins Ariz. cops with pickup truck
- ‘Game changer’: Ill. PD to launch Drone as First Responder program
- Flying Lion reaches milestone with over 50,000 Drone as First Responder (DFR) flights
- La. governor signs bill allowing state, local LE to take down ‘nefarious’ drones
COMPLETE COVERAGE
By making education part of the development process while keeping participation voluntary, the department offers lessons for police leaders expanding their camera networks
CEO Garrett Langley says the changes are intended to address demands for stronger privacy protections, accountability and transparency
The St. Petersburg Police Department utilizes 14 drones as eyes in the sky, which work alongside its Real-Time Intelligence Center
Support for police technology has grown since voters approved Proposition E in 2024, expanding SFPD’s access to drones and real-time technology
Intelligence analysts, digital forensic examiners and others who spend their days reviewing digital evidence face a psychological toll agencies often fail to recognize
Lorain Police stated that a Flock camera identified the license plate of a 16-year-old accused of murdering his grandfather minutes after the man was reported to be fleeing in a vehicle
Gastonia police said the department’s Real Time Crime Center and Flock technology helped identify the true source of the shooting and led to two arrests
“We know that when the Real-Time Crime Center helps a detective out with a case that they have a 180% higher likelihood of making arrests in that case,” Columbia PD crime analyst Cannon Fulmer
As agencies expand their use of drones for tactical operations and Drone as First Responder programs, resilient communications are becoming just as important as the aircraft themselves
The new initiative helps higher education agencies develop drone programs with standardized policies, training, governance and operational support
MOST POPULAR
- Leading beyond the DJI drone debate
- Rebuilding intelligence and information sharing in a changing threat landscape
- Leading through change: Building the Winston-Salem RTCC
- Evolving or obsolete: Why technology now defines modern policing
- Texas DPS secures $3.2M in drone mitigation technology ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Real Time Policing FAQ
What is real time policing?
Real-time policing is an operational approach that uses live data, intelligence and communications to support decision-making as incidents unfold. It focuses on delivering relevant information to officers, supervisors and command staff in the moment rather than after the fact.
What is a real time crime center?
A real time crime center is a centralized function where agencies collect, analyze and share live data to support active incidents and investigations. RTCCs often use tools such as cameras, license plate readers, drones and CAD data to provide situational awareness and actionable intelligence during ongoing events.
Do agencies need a real time crime center to practice real time policing?
No. While RTCCs are common, real-time policing can also be supported through analysts, supervisors or dispatch centers using shared systems or regional partnerships. The focus is on workflows and decision support, not a single physical location.
How is real time policing staffed?
Staffing models vary by agency size and resources. Some agencies use civilian crime analysts or intelligence specialists, while others rely on sworn personnel or hybrid teams. Smaller agencies may share analysts regionally or integrate real-time responsibilities into existing roles such as dispatch or investigations.