This brief document provides an overview of the benefits and considerations that a law enforcement agency and its stakeholders should keep in mind as they plan the implementation of a real-time crime center.
This technology brief describes real-time crime centers (RTCC’s), which are specialized public safety units within law enforcement agencies that serve as centralized hubs for criminal information and intelligence analysis. Its goal is to law enforcement practitioners and other stakeholders. The paper defines RTCC’s, describes supported activities, outlines the technology workflow of an effective RTCC, and examines several considerations for implementation. The document includes a description of the differences between RTCC’s, fusion centers, and crime analysis unit. It discusses the potential value of RTCC’s for addressing data sharing concerns and operational efficiency; how RTCC’s impact criminal justice outcomes, highlighting a case from the Ogden, Utah, Police Department; and the activities which are supported by RTCC’s, including focused policing, real-time monitoring, and investigations. The brief also provides insights into the RTCC technology and information workflow, highlighting a case from the Modesto, California, Police Department. Some technical considerations are also discussed, noting that law enforcement agencies should consider quality and computability as well as integration when they implement an RTCC or individual technologies within the RTCC. The operations of an RTCC are also described, including aspects such as staffing numbers and composition, training, costs and funding, and other considerations like policies and data management. A third case study is presented, about the implementation of the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, RTCC. Some governance issues and considerations are also laid out, followed by key questions to ask before implementing an RTCC, and a list of references cited.