Evolving technologies in law enforcement: Documenting the continued growth of real-time crime centers

Real-time crime centers (RTCCs) have rapidly proliferated among law enforcement agencies in the United States, becoming a central feature in modern policing. However, research on RTCCs remains limited, particularly regarding the recent surge in their development. Using data from a nationally representative survey of law enforcement agencies, this study examines the development of RTCCs and their operational characteristics. Results reveal that RTCCs continue to expand rapidly, with notable variation in their structure and operations associated with agency size and the time since RTCC initiation. Our findings provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand the current RTCC landscape.