Smart Policing Initiative Evaluation of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center Improvements

In response to rising gun violence, leading to increases in homicides and aggravated assaults, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) will use funding from the Smart Policing Initiative to enhance its Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). IMPD is partnering with the National Policing Institute to evaluate the implementation of the RTTC enhancements along with a narrowly defined outcome evaluation.

Project Overview

The IMPD is collaborating with the National Policing Institute (NPI) to implement and evaluate planned enhancements to its existing RTCC, with a focus on supporting officers responding to violent crime calls. These enhancements will consist of a multi-prong approach that includes significant investment in technology procurement and optimization. The goals of this approach are to increase available data, achieve more effective dissemination of information that links events together, and create standardized workflows for analysts providing direct support to officers responding to 911 calls. NPI will act as an external research partner to conduct an implementation and impact evaluation of the RTCC improvements and their effects on firearm-related homicides and non-domestic, aggravated assaults.

Methodology

This study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of RTCC technologies in enhancing real-time decision-making and operational support for officers in the field, as well as their implications for improving firearm-related homicide and aggravated assault clearance rates. It will involve a mixed-methods process and outcome evaluation and will include qualitative data collection—via focus groups and systematic social observation of RTCC operations—and a quasi-experimental quantitative research design to examine impacts on violent crime.

Strategic Priority Area(s)

Service Area(s)

Staff Contact(s)

Ryan Fisher

Ryan Fisher, PhD

Senior Research Manager

Colby Dolly

Colby Dolly, PhD

Director, Science & Innovation

Media Contact

Media inquiries should be directed to our Communications team at:

media@policinginstitute.org
202-833-1460

More Information

Project Status: Active

Project Period:  January 2025 -

Location(s): Indianapolis, IN

Research Design: Quasi-experiment

Research Method(s): Case study, Focus groups, Longitudinal study, Observation / Participant observation, Secondary data analysis

Strategic Priority Area(s)

Service Area(s)

Staff Contact(s)

Ryan Fisher

Ryan Fisher, PhD

Senior Research Manager

Colby Dolly

Colby Dolly, PhD

Director, Science & Innovation

Media Contact

 

Media inquiries should be directed to our Communications team at:

media@policinginstitute.org
202-833-1460