A Message from Our President

It is a tremendous honor to serve as President of the National Real Time Crime Center Association. I am grateful for the trust our members have placed in me, and I look forward to building on the incredible work of those who have helped establish NRTCCA as the leading professional association dedicated to advancing Real Time Crime Centers.

Over the past decade, Real Time Crime Centers have transformed from an emerging concept into an essential component of modern public safety. Every day, professionals across the country leverage technology, intelligence, collaboration, and innovation to improve decision-making, support first responders, solve crimes more efficiently, locate missing persons, and strengthen the safety of our communities.

As technology continues to evolve, so must our profession.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, unmanned aircraft systems, automated license plate recognition, body-worn cameras, digital evidence, analytics, and countless other technologies presents tremendous opportunities. It also carries an equally important responsibility to ensure these tools are implemented with sound policy, strong governance, transparency, accountability, and respect for the communities we serve.

NRTCCA is uniquely positioned to help lead that conversation.

During my term, our efforts will focus on six strategic priorities that I believe will continue moving our profession forward.

Development through national training standards, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities for every member, whether sworn or civilian.

Innovation by encouraging responsible adoption of emerging technologies while promoting ethical use, transparency, and public trust.

Collaboration by strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, nonprofit associations, academia, and industry to accomplish more together than any one organization can accomplish alone.

Education by expanding practical, vendor-neutral training that provides agencies of every size with the knowledge and resources needed to build and sustain successful Real Time Crime Centers.

Future Leadership by investing in STEM initiatives, mentorship opportunities, and educational outreach that introduce students and young professionals to careers in public safety technology, intelligence, aviation, analytics, and Real Time Crime Centers. The future of our profession depends on developing the next generation of leaders today.

Emerging Threats by helping agencies prepare for the evolving public safety landscape through education, best practices, and partnerships in areas such as Drone as First Responder, Counter-UAS, cybersecurity, and other rapidly advancing technologies.

One of the greatest strengths of NRTCCA has always been its members. Some of the most innovative ideas in our profession have come from agencies willing to share their experiences so others can learn from both their successes and their challenges. That spirit of collaboration will continue to define who we are.

Looking ahead, I also believe there are tremendous opportunities to expand our partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and professional associations that share our commitment to improving public safety. By working together, we can develop stronger training, establish meaningful best practices, promote responsible technology adoption, and create a unified voice for the future of Real Time Crime Centers.

No single agency has every answer. No single organization can solve every challenge. But together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of this profession.

To our members, volunteers, instructors, committee chairs, sponsors, and partners, thank you for your continued dedication to this mission. Your willingness to share your knowledge, mentor others, and invest in this profession is what makes this association successful.

The future of Real Time Crime Centers will not be defined by technology alone. It will be defined by the people who choose to lead, collaborate, innovate, and invest in those who follow.

I invite every member to be part of that mission.

Together, we will strengthen our profession, develop future leaders, advance responsible innovation, and continue building an association that serves as the national voice for Real Time Crime Centers.

I am excited for what lies ahead, and I look forward to serving alongside each of you.

Respectfully,

Erik A. Lavigne
President