Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
PhysicalPhysical SecurityVideo SurveillanceCase Studies (Physical)

Mesa PD launches real time crime center

By Rick Taylor
Mesa PD RTCC

Image via Genetec and Mesa PD

October 13, 2023

Mesa, Arizona is the state’s third-largest city and acts as a gateway into waterways and trail systems. Located in the East Valley near Phoenix, Mesa is home to 550,000 residents and hosts 4.5 million annual visitors, a perfect blend of modern-day urban culture and the ultimate desert playground. 

Paving a path for city-wide collaboration 

The Mesa Police Department (MPD) aims to take a proactive and innovative approach to policing. Over the years, the city has invested in various technologies that improve the safety of people, businesses and everyday life.

The challenge faced by Mesa and MPD was that many of these technologies were set up and operating independently. Everyone from the Transportation team and Municipal Security personnel to 911 operators and dispatchers had access to their own systems. This kept data and departments siloed and limited the MPD’s efficiency in responding to incidents and handling investigations.

During an emergency call, dispatchers could monitor the computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) information and automatic vehicle location (AVL) data to coordinate response with nearby officers, but they didn’t have access to live 911 calls, license plate recognition system data, or over 800 city-owned cameras that only certain teams monitored. 

Similarly, investigators would have to make individual requests to various municipal departments to have access to data and video following an incident. MPD also couldn’t review any footage from over 350 traffic cameras because it was an independent system used exclusively to monitor live traffic flow. No recordings were available. 

According to Ryan Stokes, Mesa Police Department Lieutenant, “Our goal was to make it easier for our operators to gather and share real-time information with our responding officers. Because when we’re talking about addressing critical incidents, having situational awareness 30-90 seconds before arriving on the scene is a huge advantage.”

After touring other real time crime centers (RTCC), Lieutenant Stokes and other key stakeholders at MPD were ready to upgrade their emergency response capabilities. MPD made plans to launch their own RTCC using the Genetec Citigraf strategic decision support system and Genetec Clearance digital evidence management system. 

Connecting all public safety technology within Citigraf

Today, the Mesa RTCC is a 3,000-square-foot public safety command center, equipped with video walls and other security technology. Within the first 12 months of the opening of the RTCC, the MPD solved over 930 felony and 640 misdemeanor cases. They also recovered over 268 stolen vehicles. Moreover, they have expedited their emergency response and helped officers be better prepared when arriving on the scene.

The RTCC operations use Citigraf, which acts as the main visualization dashboard for emergency response and investigations. The solution currently gives operators access to 800 city cameras, 180 traffic cameras, eight mobile Police Observation Devices (PODs), real-time AVL data, live 911 calls, real-time drone video and other technologies.  

“Previously, 99% of what we did before was after-the-fact investigations. Aside from the CAD and AVL systems, we didn’t have access to more information. Now, when an emergency call comes in, our RTCC operators hear the live 911 call and can click a button to transfer the call to Citigraf. Our RTCC operators hear the actual live conversation, see the caller location and all CAD comments as they are entered from the 911 operator and police dispatcher,” explained Lieutenant Stokes.

Boosting operator efficiency with one intuitive visual dashboard

Mesa RTCC operators are taking real-time response to the next level. Beyond seeing all cameras, patrol cars and emerging events on a city map, they can quickly address emergencies and extend critical information to patrol officers. 

For instance, if an operator is working on a specific call, clicking on the caller’s address will pull up data from the CAD system. The operator can then view all prior calls received from that location and any notes associated with those past incidents.

Operators can also move from live view to a five-minute replay (or time delay of their choosing) to see what happened. They can sync that replay across all 16 cameras on display. If they notice that a suspect is on the move, the operator can simply click one of four arrows within the camera’s field of view to jump over to the next camera. 

In some emergency situations where drones are launched out on patrol, RTCC operators are alerted so they can access live footage to get an aerial view of the situation. This is useful during bigger city events where larger crowds gather. 

During those large-scale events, the city can also deploy camera PODs to extend surveillance in specific areas. All video feeds connect back into Citigraf, so operators have more eyes on the ground. They’ve also extended access to the solution to the Police Chief and to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), who can remotely monitor any major situations or community gatherings, without disrupting RTCC operations. 

Amplifying resources and community collaboration

The RTCC is primarily responsible for assisting law enforcement during emergencies. But when the team isn’t responding to an emergency, they’re still making the most of the technology to help MPD solve cases. They assist in post-incident investigations, helping the detectives use data in Citigraf to retrieve evidence and use the Clearance camera registry feature to speed up evidence canvassing from businesses and residents within the city. 

“In the past, if someone reported a serious event, an officer would respond, take pictures, record statements, and open an investigation. It could then take another two or three weeks of trying to locate witnesses and review video in the area. Now, with Citigraf and Clearance, we can close cases faster,” explained Lieutenant Stokes. 

Building a safer city alongside supportive partner

Moving forward, the MPD has big plans for the expansion of its RTCC. From adding a mobile app in police vehicles to integrating more cameras and technologies within the platform, there’s a lot still underway and slated on their roadmap.  

KEYWORDS: case study emergency management emergency response Police Department police monitoring

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Rick Taylor is National Director, Public Sector at Genetec. 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Columns
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Technologies & Solutions
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Red spiderweb

From Retail to Insurance, Scattered Spider Changes Targets

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • video responsive default security

    Springfield, Mass., Unveils Real-Time Crime Analysis Center

    See More
  • FSU partners with law enforcement for Real Time Crime Center

    Florida State University collaborates with local law enforcement for Real-Time Crime Center

    See More
  • Cybersecurity Leadership Images

    ISACA Launches Real-Time, Real-World Cybersecurity Training Tool

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781138378339.jpg

    Surveillance, Crime and Social Control

  • 9780815378068.jpg.jpg

    Biometrics, Crime and Security

  • operations center.jpg

    Security Operations Center Guidebook

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing