Building a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) improves situational awareness, supports patrol, and strengthens investigative capacity. These projects are complex, and without the right planning, agencies risk ending up with a room that looks impressive but doesn’t deliver daily value to officers, detectives, or command staff.
At Constant Technologies, we’ve partnered with police departments, sheriff’s offices, and regional partners across the country to deliver functional Real-Time Operations Centers that provide measurable daily value. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and the most common challenges that stall progress or limit effectiveness. The good news: you don’t have to learn through trial and error. By avoiding common planning mistakes, your agency can save time and budget and build an effective RTCC that supports your community from day one.
Here are five common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
1. Overlooking Workflow
- The Mistake: Some agencies invest in technology and furniture before defining how the room will actually be used. The result is a space that may look impressive but sits idle or lacks a clear purpose.
- The Solution: Start with workflow design. A well-planned RTCC supports both patrol and investigative functions. Constant works with agencies to ensure that each center delivers situational awareness for patrol and real-time intelligence during active incidents.
2. Not Defining the Mission
- The Mistake: Without a clearly defined mission, even the best-equipped RTCC risks being underutilized. Some agencies assume the center will “find its purpose” after installation, only to find that the room may not provide measurable value.
- The Solution: Constant partners with command staff to set priorities and define measurable goals. By aligning the RTCC mission with agency strategy, the center reduces workload for both patrol and investigative units, improves officer safety, and delivers measurable value from day one.
3. Neglecting Infrastructure
- The Mistake: It’s easy to focus on what you can see: screens, furniture, software, while overlooking the foundation. Outdated cabling, insufficient UPS capacity, or inadequate network resources can stall a project, adding delays and costs.
- The Solution: Assess infrastructure early. Constant reviews wiring, power, and network readiness, ensuring the foundation of the RTCC can support its mission.
4. Getting Stalled on Software Selection
- The Mistake: The number of software platforms marketed to law enforcement can be overwhelming. For already overextended agencies, trying to vet every option can feel impossible, and uninformed decisions can result in wasted funds and underperforming systems.
- The Solution: Constant is software-agnostic. We don’t sell or endorse specific software solutions. Instead, our specialists draw on firsthand experience from agencies nationwide and connect you directly with peers who work in successful centers. Peer-to-peer exchange provides practical lessons learned, helping agencies identify tools that align with operations, mission, and community needs.
5. Not Knowing Where to Start
- The Mistake: Some agencies hesitate because they’re unsure how to begin. Without guidance, they may miss some key steps, slowing down progress and creating frustration.
- The Solution: Constant guides agencies through each phase: planning, mission alignment, infrastructure readiness, and final installation. With 40+ years of mission-critical experience, Constant’s process ensures your RTCC is ready to serve officers and the community.
Avoiding Guesswork During the Design Process
Some agencies try to figure it out as they go, but trial and error leads to wasted time, strained budgets, and systems that don’t work as intended. A more productive path is to build on proven strategies. Constant applies lessons learned from dozens of RTCCs across the country, helping agencies design and build their real-time centers efficiently and effectively.
Ready to Get Started?
An RTCC can transform how your agency supports patrol investigations and community safety. By avoiding common mistakes, you can build a center that meets today’s demands and adapts to tomorrow’s challenges.
Get started now! Our installation schedule is filling quickly. To begin your project and access our RTCC Getting Started Checklist, contact us today.
Constant has partnered with agencies across the country, building RTCCs that deliver measurable results. Our proven expertise ensures your center is designed with precision, installed expertly, and provides value to officers and the community you serve.
Partner with Constant for Your RTCC
While each center is unique, there are key elements that are standard: a central video wall that creates a common operating picture, a control system for information display, and durable console workstations. Constant walks you through each step of the process in creating your command center:
- Video wall systems customized to optimize workflow
- Consoles built for 24/7 environments
- Integrated rack enclosures for easy access to critical equipment
- First-class service and support
Public safety command centers are complex, and our team helps simplify the process. Constant designs and plans your layouts and renderings.
