By Fritz Reber and Jamie Hudson
Real-Time Policing (RTP) is founded on the principles of speed and efficiency. Traditionally, the term “real-time policing” was associated with Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs), the facilities where immediate response work occurred. Over time, RTCCs became synonymous with the activities conducted within them.
However, RTP extends beyond RTCCs, encompassing a comprehensive approach to emergency response that includes Drones as First Responders (DFR) and various other advanced tools and systems. Together, these components enable rapid, coordinated responses both virtually and in the field, enhancing law enforcement’s ability to manage incidents as they unfold.
Core components of an effective RTP operation
An effective Real-Time Policing (RTP) operation integrates advanced technology with the dedicated efforts of officers and support personnel to respond to, investigate and resolve crimes in real time. These operations enhance routine patrol work with the goal of addressing incidents during their initial moments rather than long after they’ve occurred.
While RTP systems are valuable for investigations and managing large-scale emergencies, their greatest impact is often realized during the critical early stages of an event. Early intervention allows agencies to avoid deploying the substantial resources typically required for incidents that escalate from minor issues, while also increasing the likelihood of arrests and reducing the need for lengthy follow-up investigations. Ultimately, RTP empowers law enforcement to stay ahead of evolving situations, maintaining control and minimizing resource demands.
The technology driving RTP
Real-Time Policing (RTP) leverages a suite of cutting-edge tools, including AI-powered analytics, fixed and mobile cameras, Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs, automatic license plate recognition (LPR) systems, gunshot detection sensors and unified command center solutions that provide a “single pane of glass” view. Integrating these tools within a centralized platform enables stakeholders to efficiently access and share geospatial and incident data, ideally displayed on an interactive map interface. This cohesive setup greatly enhances situational awareness across agencies, delivering real-time insights as events unfold. A successful RTP operation includes a well-equipped RTCC, an advanced DFR system and a skilled team continuously operating these tools to ensure 24/7 responsiveness.
Drone as First Responder
One of the most recent and innovative tools in Real-Time Policing (RTP) is Drone as First Responder (DFR). For those unfamiliar with drones, understanding the distinction between standard public safety drone use and DFR operations is essential. Traditional drone use is typically reactive: a first responder arrives at the scene, identifies the need for a drone, and either launches one they have on hand or requests one to be brought to the scene. This process takes time — and time is rarely on the first responder’s side.
Drone as First Responder (DFR) operates as a system of prepositioned drones designed to deploy immediately to emergencies, ideally arriving first — before any human responders are on scene and exposed to potential harm. Once on scene, the drone provides the pilot and observers with enhanced situational awareness, enabling a more effective and safer response. It delivers valuable intelligence, aids in de-escalating situations and promotes transparency. The faster the drone arrives, the greater its impact in each of these critical areas.
While many view DFR as merely the sum of its parts — a drone with a high-quality camera, remotely operated from a dock-based system — the defining factor that sets DFR apart from traditional drone use is speed. Speed makes all the difference.
Two worlds collide
The integration of Drone as First Responder (DFR) into Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) underscores the transformative impact of Real-Time Policing (RTP) on daily emergency response. As DFR gains momentum, it highlights the critical role RTCCs play in modern policing, with each innovation driving the other’s growth. DFR’s proven effectiveness has made RTCCs economically viable for agencies that once questioned their necessity, shifting them from perceived luxuries to essential assets for departments of all sizes. Similarly, DFR has democratized air support, making it accessible to smaller agencies and leveling the playing field. RTP tools like DFR and RTCCs enable cost-effective, centralized policing, delivering life-saving results and redefining traditional concepts of police work.
An emerging role in law enforcement
The convergence of Drone as First Responder (DFR) and Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) technology has introduced a groundbreaking operational role in law enforcement, creating a distinct vertical that bridges traditional 911 centers and patrol operations. Just as the advent of the 911 system led to the establishment of dispatchers and dedicated centers, today’s Real-Time Policing (RTP) tools are driving the development of a specialized, technology-driven infrastructure that is still evolving. As agencies increasingly recognize the transformative impact of these tools on their ability to protect and serve, this role is poised to become a standard component of everyday policing — routinely staffed and equipped as an essential element of public safety operations.
Bridging the 911 gap: Transforming response times and saving lives
It’s worth exploring some Real-Time Policing (RTP) tools in detail, as many are relatively new and have transformed modern RTP operations. One notable example is the reimagining of how 911 call data is shared. For most agencies, 911 calls remain the primary way the community seeks help. Traditionally, this process resembled a literal game of telephone, where relaying information consumed valuable time and often resulted in missed critical details.
For a 911 caller, the time it takes to receive assistance begins the moment they realize they need help. However, for the emergency response system, the clock doesn’t start until the caller has dialed 911, connected with a dispatcher, and provided details about the emergency. Even under ideal circumstances, this process typically takes at least 30-45 seconds. More commonly, it takes 1-2 minutes, and it can extend to 3-4 minutes or longer if there are language barriers, the caller is injured, or they are in severe distress. In an emergency, a few minutes can feel like an eternity.
Today’s advanced RTP tools address delays in the traditional call-taker/dispatcher process by enabling multiple stakeholders — including first responders in the field, DFR pilots, RTCC personnel, supervisors and command staff — to listen to 911 calls in real time. This new solution essentially puts the 911 call on “speakerphone,” allowing all parties to receive and act on information simultaneously. By doing so, it effectively closes “The 911 Gap” — the period between when an incident occurs and when first responders are typically notified via dispatch.
In addition, real-time geo-tracking capabilities enable responding agencies to view the 911 caller’s exact location at all times, even if they are moving. This location is displayed on a map interface, providing essential situational awareness to everyone involved. With this information, DFR pilots and RTCC operators can immediately deploy drones and monitor fixed cameras, allowing them to see and hear the situation as it unfolds — even before first responders arrive on scene. This capability creates what is known as a “negative response time,” enabling responders to arrive on scene and begin providing assistance well before they would traditionally have been notified. Responding within the 911 gap is transforming emergency response standards and saving lives.
Figure 1: Depicting the full emergency response timeline from incident to notification to arrival. The 911 Gap represents the period between the incident’s occurrence (point A) and the traditional notification time (point B). Arriving within this gap is technically considered a “negative response time” since, historically, the “clock” measuring emergency response time had not yet started.
Other real-time solutions
Not every critical incident requires a 911 call to initiate a response. Some of the most effective public safety tools now operate instantly, bypassing the need for human reporting altogether. License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems exemplify this capability, with cameras working in real-time to connect with criminal and intelligence databases. These systems automatically identify license plates, vehicle descriptions and other unique identifiers linked to alerts, such as missing persons, wanted individuals, or AMBER Alert vehicles. When a match is detected, the information is instantly shared with multiple stakeholders — officers, dispatchers and analysts — often across multiple jurisdictions, enabling simultaneous action. This automated alert system supports proactive responses, eliminating delays and maximizing efficiency without relying on a person to call 911.
Other advanced tools are similarly transforming RTCCs and DFR operations. Technologies like specialized microphones can detect gunshots or high-risk events, such as “sideshows” and street takeovers. Others include object-recognition cameras to identify gun-shaped objects, traffic monitoring to detect disruptions or crashes and personal smart devices capable of sending emergency notifications directly to authorities. As these tools evolve, they promise to drastically reduce response times, allowing RTCC and DFR teams to respond faster and more accurately, maximizing both safety and situational awareness.
In essence, tools that specifically address the pre-notification (pre-CAD) phase of emergency response are critical for Real-Time Policing (RTP). Without these tools, the impact on response time would be limited to the post-notification phase — the period after dispatch becomes aware of the situation and notifies others (see Figure 1 above). Integrated pre-notification solutions, accessible through a unified “single pane of glass,” provide agencies with a faster, more comprehensive response system, covering every step from the initial detection of an incident to the arrival of responders.
Complete situational awareness in action
Imagine a 911 caller reporting a robbery in progress. She provides a description of the suspect’s appearance and the make and model of the getaway car over the phone. As the call taker in dispatch enters this information into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, personnel in the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and the Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot receive the details in real time and can act immediately. The DFR pilot launches a drone to the area, while RTCC personnel review nearby fixed camera systems for additional insights.
Within seconds, the RTCC team identifies the suspect’s car leaving the area and captures its license plate, quickly entering the information into the system. The DFR pilot positions the drone over the moving vehicle, tracking its movements and relaying updates to first responders in the field. As the suspect’s car speeds away, the drone pilot observes evidence being discarded from the vehicle and captures footage of a passenger being dropped off. Simultaneously, License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems continue to monitor the car’s route, ensuring comprehensive tracking.
The RTCC team monitors the passenger as they enter another vehicle, capturing its license plate details as well. While patrol officers stop and arrest the occupants of the original getaway car, recovering evidence discarded along the route, the drone is redirected to track the second vehicle. Officers in the field intercept the associated vehicle, apprehend the additional suspect, recover the stolen property and secure critical evidence.
This seamless coordination between the RTCC, DFR and patrol officers, enabled by cutting-edge tools, not only ensures the capture of all involved suspects but also saves thousands of investigative hours. It prevents suspects from evading capture, facilitates the swift recovery of stolen property and keeps dangerous criminals off the streets — all made possible through real-time technology and rapid deployment. This represents a stark contrast to the challenges agencies would face if the suspects had escaped. This isn’t a vision of the future — it’s happening today.
Deeper dive into DFR
While we’ve explored the value of a comprehensive suite of Real-Time Policing (RTP) tools and examined their functionality in action, it’s essential to take a closer look at key elements of Drone as First Responder (DFR) systems — especially since not all solutions are created equal. As emphasized earlier, speed is the critical factor for RTP tools, and DFR systems exemplify this need for rapid response. Evaluating DFR solutions in terms of speed requires focusing on the right features and capabilities. Consider this a checklist for agencies to use when selecting the DFR solution that best aligns with their operational objectives.
A shopping list for DFR solutions that prioritize speed
DFR is defined by its ability to get a drone on scene in minutes, before the arrival of first responders on the ground. When evaluating DFR solutions, speed must remain the top priority. Each component should be assessed based on how effectively it contributes to achieving rapid response times. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Launch time: From hitting “launch” to the drone taking flight, every second counts. Some dock-based systems have delays for satellite connections or slow mechanisms. Measure launch time yourself; don’t rely solely on vendor data.
- Camera power and zoom: A drone pilot is “on scene” the moment they can clearly view the incident. Strong zoom capabilities let the pilot assess situations from afar, reducing the need to fly closer and minimizing response time.
- Drone flight speed: Faster flight speed means quicker arrival. Compare maximum speeds across options to ensure the quickest response.
- Flight altitude: The higher the drone’s altitude, the greater the field of view, allowing the pilot to cover a larger area immediately upon arrival. This elevated perspective enhances situational awareness, enabling responders to gather valuable intel faster without needing to reposition the drone.
- Coverage area: Like cell towers, multiple launch points improve coverage and reduce response times by shortening distances, though this may increase initial costs.
- Return-to-home speed: After a mission, the speed at which a drone returns, lands, and prepares for the next call affects availability. Quick return-to-home and battery-swap capabilities maximize uptime.
- Battery swapping vs. contact charging: Battery-swapping docks allow drones to quickly resume operations. Contact charging requires longer downtime, which could impact operational readiness and increase equipment costs.
- Tight integration with a full suite of RTP solutions: Is the DFR solution fully integrated with tools such as 911 caller location and call audio, pre-CAD alerts from LPR and audio detection devices, CAD itself, and all in a single pane of glass solution? These integrations in one place save time, not only by providing info on what is happening and where sooner, but shortening response with auto-populated flight destinations, and sharing tools like smart phone applications.
Conclusion
Real-Time Policing is revolutionizing emergency response, with speed as its cornerstone. By integrating rapid-response tools like Drone as First Responder (DFR) systems and Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs), agencies can act instantly with real-time information. This speed isn’t just an advantage — it’s a lifesaving difference, enabling agencies to manage incidents proactively, prevent escalation, and protect communities faster than ever before. This approach isn’t a vision of the future — it’s happening now, setting a new standard in public safety and proving that in emergencies, every second truly counts.
About the authors
Fritz Reber is a retired Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) Police Captain. He was the UAS Commander who conceived of and worked to stand up the first DFR Program at Chula Vista PD. Fritz retired in 2018 and is now the Director of DFR Consulting at Aerodome, a leading provider of DFR solutions for Public Safety. Previously, he was Head of Public Safety Integration at Skydio, the largest manufacturer of drones in the U.S. While at CVPD he also invented, helped develop and worked to implement Live911, a key tool for the majority of DFR programs worldwide.
Jamie Hudson is the Director of Real Time Consulting for Flock Safety. He served the law enforcement profession for 31 years before retiring in 2024. He held various roles within 9-1-1 communication centers and spent the final five years of his career building and growing the Real-Time Information Center at the Elk Grove (California) Police Department. He was one of the inaugural Board of Directors members for the National Real Time Crime Center Association. Jamie advocates for real-time policing strategies to be implemented in agencies without waiting to physically build a real-time crime center.
