Exploring the Landscape of Real-Time Crime Centers: Identifying Operational Types and Key Characteristics

• In Event: Technological Advancements and Intelligence in Modern-Day Policing

Abstract

The emergence of real-time crime centers (RTCCs) represents a rapidly evolving innovation in policing, garnering increasing interest from both scholars and practitioners. Despite this attention, existing research remains limited, with only one study exploring trends in RTCC growth and characteristics to date. This lack of knowledge leaves law enforcement agencies to develop their own centers with little guidance. To address this gap, we conducted a nationally representative survey of law enforcement agencies, gathering detailed operational data on their RTCCs. Using latent class analysis, we identify multiple distinct types of RTCCs and present descriptive characteristics of the centers within each class. These characteristics include staffing levels, hours of operation, technology use, inter-agency collaboration, and real-time investigation capabilities. Additionally, we examine differences in these characteristics among more recently established RTCCs, providing insights that will help practitioners understand the traits of RTCCs within agencies similar to their own. In general, our research contributes to a deeper understanding of the current landscape of real-time crime centers.

Authors

• Alex Billmeier, Florida State University

• Brian J. Stults, Florida State University

• Julie Brancale, Florida State University

• Jonathan Caswell, Florida State University

• Thomas G. Blomberg, Florida State University