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.
FEATURED CONTENT
From a missing child case to an arrest within 21 minutes, CEO Garrett Langley highlights the real-world impact of integrated policing technology
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
Why policing’s future depends on real time information, smart technology and leaders willing to change
Why leadership, not technology alone, determines RTCC success
DRONE AS FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAMS
Departments are scaling DFR programs quickly, but without aviation-level structure, training and risk management, capability can outpace safety
As federal scrutiny of Chinese-made drones grows, police and fire leaders must focus on risk-based governance to protect drone programs and maintain life-saving capability
Download a practical leadership framework for evaluating, planning and scaling Drone as First Responder programs
Leaders from the San Francisco Police Department and Fairfax County Police Department share how real time information centers, drones and data are transforming daily operations
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
- Drones, live video feeds and LPRs: Inside N.J. PD’s Real Time Operations Center
- ‘No-brainer’: Fla. city launches DFR program ahead of expansions
- New rule from Fla. governor grounds PD use of some drones
- NYPD to start Drone as First Responder program, allowing UAVs to respond to scenes of shootings
- $1B in FEMA funding to bolster law enforcement security for World Cup 2026, counter drone threats
- L.A. Police Commission approves PD’s drone program for DFR uses
- Criminologist: How real time crime centers can shorten response times, aid investigations
- ‘Driving a culture change': Calif. sheriff’s department new tech center to increase efficiency, communications
- Calif. PD launches Drone as a First Responder program
- Los Angeles unveils real time crime centers, aimed at helping officers rushing to scenes
COMPLETE COVERAGE
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
From managing parking and monitoring street flooding to responding to wildfires and terrorist attacks, RTCCs are helping agencies tackle a wide range of public safety challenges
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 Arlington PD’s new Beyond Visual Line of Sight waiver allows the departments RTCC staff to launch the drones remotely to respond to active crime scenes
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 leveraging existing resources, collaborating across functions and utilizing cost-effective middleware tools, agencies can create a more cohesive data infrastructure
MOST POPULAR
- Video: Man rams cruisers, nearly pins Ariz. cops with pickup truck
- Rebuilding intelligence and information sharing in a changing threat landscape
- Photos: LVMPD unveils new Fusion Watch Center, drone skyports
- Mich. sheriff’s office DFR pilot leads to arrest on day of program launch
- BRINC unveils Starlink-connected Guardian drone with 62-minute flight time
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.