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.
DETECTING CRIME IN REAL-TIME
Speed is the defining advantage of DFR programs, and agencies that invest in dedicated pilots see the biggest returns in safety and efficiency
TURNING DATA INTO ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments leads an interjurisdictional effort to display crime data and guide public safety decisions
A homegrown Power BI platform is redefining CompStat in Windsor, transforming static spreadsheets into live, visual command intelligence
By leveraging existing resources, collaborating across functions and utilizing cost-effective middleware tools, agencies can create a more cohesive data infrastructure
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
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
REAL TIME POLICING WEBINARS
POLICING MATTERS PODCAST
In an evolving field where seconds matter, RTIC experts from two California agencies explain how they turn high-tech information into real-time action to stop crime and save lives
Rahul Sidhu shares what agencies must know about building sustainable DFR programs — and why connectivity and AI will drive the next phase
Discover how the Glendale Police Department is using cutting-edge tech to solve crimes faster, boost community safety and lead the charge in modern law enforcement strategies
Chief Brian Bubar details how strategic tech deployments, community collaboration and proactive policing led to an 80% crime reduction in a city once ranked among America’s most violent
Two California police chiefs — one from sprawling Los Angeles, the other from a 2.6-square-mile city — share how collaborative data strategies and connected tech are revolutionizing crime prevention and response
See how Dunwoody Police are turning cutting-edge technology into real-world solutions for crime prevention and 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
- ‘This isn’t going to end well': Video shows Conn. man firing on SWAT team in eviction standoff
- Video: Man who told dispatchers he would ‘shoot somebody’ approaches LEOs with screwdriver before OIS
- Calif. PD considers using grant funds for DFR program
- Video: Man continuously fires at Wash. police vehicles, officers during SWAT standoff
- Drone as first responder program poised to boost N.Y. police department’s capabilities
- NYPD flying additional drones over trains to combat subway surfing after 2 teen deaths in a week
- Texas PD expands DFR program after receiving approval to deploy drones remotely
- Bill would add tariffs on Chinese drones, launch grants for American manufacturers
- $500M grant program launched to help LE counter illegal drones ahead of 2026 World Cup
- N.J. sheriff deploys drone patrol unit to investigate mystery sightings
COMPLETE COVERAGE
“[The RTCC] reinforces our precision policing model: respond quickly, investigate thoroughly, identify correctly, arrest safely, prosecute successfully,” SPD Captain James Britt said
Federal and state funding is making advanced tools like ALPRs, drones and real time crime centers more accessible to agencies of all sizes
Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen offered the SFPD to lease a new building rent-free through Dec. 2026; his charity also made a $7 million donation to support equipment upgrades
The Fairfax County PD’s Real Time Crime Center operates with footage from a network of LPRs, a tip-based Crime Solvers program and a system of license plate readers
The Oceanside City Council voted unanimously to purchase the drone, staff a “visual observer” position and create a “real-time crime center” in a room at police headquarters
The new tools are designed to give officers more hands-free capabilities and access to community-contributed video evidence
The Glendale Police Department used real-time technology to track the suspect following a second vehicle assault on the department’s secured entrance
Police Chief Bill Scott said RTIC has enabled the department to target individuals who have “damaged our city,” including repeat offenders
By giving officers real-time access to video, RTCCs are turning in-progress calls into solved cases and helping agencies close investigations faster and more safely
Nikki North, RTCC manager at the Flagler County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, shares how mutual respect and early involvement are key to successful communication
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.