But what is the reality of a real-time crime center? The short answer is that it’s a centralized hub that processes intelligence and supports real-time decision-making for law enforcement. But how they work, and the powerful impact they can have in the community, is far more complex and nuanced than most people realize.
INTEGRATED, CLOUD-BASED SOLUTIONS
RTCCs aren’t just one system, they are a complex blend of many — from video management systems and intelligence platforms to AI-assisted tools that analyze and organize incoming data. Integrating these systems into a single workflow allows analysts and officers to quickly paint a full picture of what’s happening in a case or incident instead of working with scattered puzzle pieces.
When all of these technologies work together as an integrated security solution, they dramatically reduce the time it takes to make informed decisions. Imagine being a street officer responding to a call and already having a suspect description, last known location or even the identity of a person with a concealed weapon before you ever arrive. Or going to a domestic violence call and already knowing the suspect previously tried to assault an officer with a knife. That’s the power of a well-integrated RTCC.
One of the most revolutionary advancements that has enabled this kind of operational efficiency is the use of cloud-based technology. Cloud access means that officers and analysts can obtain critical information from virtually anywhere, in real time, whether it's from video security cameras, body cameras, drone footage or any other kind of Internet of Things device. This not only improves the speed and accessibility of threat intelligence, but it also removes the constraints of being tied to a physical location or limited infrastructure.
AI IS A FORCE MULTIPLIER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
An RTCC is indeed a sophisticated nerve center, but its power lies not just in the technology itself but in the people who operate it. Paired together, the integration of advanced tools and human expertise move modern policing into an intelligence-led model, where more information is available up front, in real time and actionable leads that form before an investigation even begins.
AI is one of the essential tools in a RTCC that makes this possible. Think of it like this: In the past, finding key data was like searching for a needle in a haystack. But today, AI search and analytics can help you quickly jump to the part of the haystack where the needle is most likely hiding.
While AI can dramatically increase efficiency, law enforcement cannot rely on it as the only source of information. Analysts and officers still have to investigate, verify and ensure that what they’re seeing is valid. A well-trained expert is always a necessary layer to check for bias and accuracy. At the end of the day, human judgment is always going to be at the heart of decision-making in law enforcement, but there is enormous value to helping officers and analysts move more quickly when every second matters.
AN RTCC’S SUCCESS RELIES ON COMMUNITY TRUST
The community also plays an integral role in an RTCC’s success. Video security cameras are everywhere — at businesses, schools, hospitals — but they are limited in their effectiveness if organizations can’t easily share critical visual information with law enforcement when a situation is unfolding. When video footage is shared with law enforcement, with strict controls in place, it can become a valuable source of intelligence that ultimately enhances the safety of the entire community.
For example, in the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) RTCC, officers used their network of integrated community cameras to locate and bring home a missing autistic boy within a few short hours of him being reported missing. Seeing the positive impact firsthand showed the community the power of integrating their cameras with the department, further encouraging others to sign up. Today, WSPD’s $1.2 million facility has 2,000 cameras connected across the city. It credits its RTCC as a key component in improving department response times.
It’s all about communicating the purpose, impact and intent: community safety and thoughtful public-private partnership. The more WSPD shared context, visibility and information into the work of the RTCC, the more neighbors wanted to participate.
It’s also essential to communicate safeguards in place that benefit both police and community members, whether it's privacy protections that enable face blurring, live-only viewing of camera feeds or any sort of custom viewing permissions.
THE FUTURE OF INTELLIGENCE-LED POLICING
RTCCs aren’t just fancy control rooms at police departments — they’re force multipliers, and they are the future of intelligence-led policing. They fill gaps in information, resources and manpower for officers out in the field. They enable better precision, where officers can make decisions that are faster, more informed and more accurate. Ultimately this leads to better case solvability, safer officers and stronger community safety.
Like any new technology or innovation, there can be skepticism and concern. It’s important to have critical and thoughtful conversations about RTCCs. Here's one way to look at it: In today’s world, we have so many incredible new tools and resources at our disposal. And when law enforcement uses these tools responsibly, RTCCs have incredible benefits to the community. There’s no reason that a law enforcement officer shouldn’t use every available tool to solve a crime.
In fact, it is the duty of law enforcement to provide the very best in public safety services to the communities they serve. This includes a commitment to use the tools at their disposal responsibly. In today’s world, saying “we have nothing to help you” is no longer acceptable. Smart investigative tools exist. These technologies work, and they’re transforming how we police. It’s why the future of policing isn’t years away — it’s already here.
Ben Jones is a public safety adviser at Verkada, helping organizations build and scale real-time crime centers with cutting-edge technology. Before joining Verkada, Ben served as a lieutenant with the Winston-Salem, N.C., Police Department, where he spent 25 years in roles across SWAT, Homicide, and Street Crimes. Tasked with developing the department’s RTCC from the ground up, Ben set out to integrate cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety and investigations, with the ultimate goal of combating violent crime. His efforts quickly established WSPD’s RTCC as a model for intelligence-led policing across the country.
