News

Introduction

The Kansas City Police Department (KCKPD) has long been at the forefront of innovative law enforcement. Known for their proactive approach to crime prevention, they recognized an opportunity to enhance their capabilities through advanced technology. When Chief Karl Oakman took the helm, one of his top priorities was to improve efficiency through technology and resource allocation. To achieve this goal, the KCKPD established the Real-time Intelligence Crime Center (RTICC), a state-of-the- art facility aimed at reducing crime and apprehending violent offenders more effectively.

Kansas City’s Real-Time Crime Center

Founded in 1874, the KCKPD has a long history of serving and protecting the community. Over the years, the department has grown to meet the evolving needs of the city, but with growth came new challenges. As crime rates fluctuated and the complexity of criminal activities increased, KCKPD needed a solution that could keep pace with the demands of modern law enforcement.

Chief Karl Oakman, who became the department’s leader in 2022, quickly identified the need for a centralized, high-tech facility to coordinate real-time data and intelligence. Drawing inspiration from successful models in neighboring cities, Oakman envisioned a Real-time Intelligence Crime Center that would integrate various technologies to streamline operations and enhance the department’s ability to respond to incidents swiftly.

The goal was clear: to create a hub where all intelligence products could be analyzed and utilized to solve cases faster and reduce crime more effectively.

The Challenge of Streamlining Real-Time Data

Before establishing RTICC, the KCKPD faced significant challenges in managing and utilizing the vast amounts of data generated by various surveillance and monitoring systems.

This fragmented system led to inefficiencies in the department’s ability to respond to crimes in progress or to follow up on investigations. For instance, when a robbery occurred, detectives often received vague descriptions of suspect vehicles, making it challenging to narrow down potential leads. The existing technology, while useful, was not integrated, forcing analysts like Captain Fithian and his team to manually switch between different systems to piece together critical information.

The department’s outdated systems lacked the real-time capabilities to support officers on the ground. Gathering and analyzing data was slow, and the lack of a centralized command center meant that valuable time was lost coordinating responses to incidents.

Why the Kansas City Police Department Selected RGB Spectrum

When the Kansas City Police Department began exploring options for their Real-time Intelligence Crime Center, they were looking for a solution that could unify their existing technologies and provide real-time, actionable insights. After researching various options, KCKPD selected RGB Spectrum’s Zio® AV-over-IP platform as the backbone of their new facility.

“The Zio platform has been a game-changer for us. We can now see everything happening in the city in real-time, which means we can respond to incidents faster and more effectively.” --Captain Kevin Fithian, Kansas City Police Department

RGB Spectrum’s reputation for reliability, scalability, and advanced features made their products the ideal choice for KCKPD’s ambitious project. The Zio platform stood out for its ability to display multiple video feeds and data sources simultaneously, allowing officers and analysts to monitor live events and access historical data in real-time. This capability was crucial for a facility that needed to process and analyze vast amounts of information from different sources.

The decision to partner with RGB Spectrum was further reinforced by the support and expertise provided by CTI, the largest privately held AV integration and events provider in the United States, who worked closely with KCKPD to design and install the best possible solution for their needs. Together, they ensured that the RTICC would not only meet the department’s current requirements but also be scalable to accommodate future advancements in technology.

How the Technology is Used Today

The implementation of RGB Spectrum’s technology has transformed the way the KCKPD operates. At the heart of RTICC is the Zio AV-over-IP platform, which powers a large, high-resolution video wall displaying live feeds from LPRs, traffic cameras, and other surveillance systems throughout the city. This centralized display allows officers and analysts to monitor multiple locations in real-time, quickly identifying potential threats and coordinating responses.

Captain Fithian, who oversees RTICC’s day-to-day operations, describes the impact of the new technology: “The Zio platform has been a game-changer for us. We can now see everything happening in the city in real time, which means we can respond to incidents faster and more effectively. The ability to display multiple video feeds side by side has made it much easier to track suspects and gather critical information.”

For example, when a shooting or robbery occurs, analysts can immediately pull up relevant footage from LPRs and traffic cameras, identify suspect vehicles, and relay that information to officers on the ground. This real-time coordination has led to faster apprehensions and reduced crime rates across the city.

Chief Oakman highlights the broader impact of the technology on the department: “The RTICC has truly revolutionized the way we approach law enforcement in Kansas City. We can now leverage technology in ways we never could, and it’s making a real difference in our ability to keep the community safe.”