Submitted
A partnership among the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and municipalities in the county is enabling faster, more accurate, and resource-efficient law enforcement responses.
The Hamilton County Real Time Information Center (RTIC), fully operational since November 2024, is a groundbreaking, multi-agency collaboration that is delivering substantial benefits to public safety and emergency response operations.
Its operations enhance data and intelligence sharing and ensure timely decision-making across jurisdictional boundaries.
“This program is a significant advancement in public safety and a clear win for every resident of Hamilton County, helping to maintain a safe, secure environment in which to live, work, and raise a family,” Chief Deputy John Lowes said.
The RTIC represents a unified effort among the Carmel Police Department, the Noblesville Police Department, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. The Fishers Police Department and Westfield Police Department are committed to this collaboration and intend to add resources in the future as appropriate. Despite being staffed by three agencies, RTIC responds throughout Hamilton County, regardless of jurisdiction.
This innovative center supports both criminal and non-criminal types of calls for service, acting as a true force multiplier. Since its inception, RTIC has significantly enhanced response times, improved information accuracy, and reduced operational costs while simultaneously improving officer safety and public service delivery.
Through the integration of advanced technology and real-time analysis, RTIC personnel also monitor incoming 911 calls, retrieve prior call history, examine location-specific data, research subject qualifiers, and assist responding agencies with critical, up-to-the-minute real-time intelligence. This capability enhances situational awareness and equips officers with the most accurate and relevant information before they arrive on-scene.
Additionally, a key feature of the RTIC is the implementation of Drones as First Responders (DFR). These aerial assets are deployed to various calls for service, including traffic accidents, critical incidents, and active crime scenes. Drones provide live overwatch, aid in suspect apprehension, assist in foot pursuits, and offer real-time situational assessment, further enhancing the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement personnel on the ground.
“This is the future of law enforcement in the United States,” RTIC Director Lieutenant Brian Niec said. “What makes the Hamilton County RTIC truly unique is that all participating agencies operate under the same Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, reporting protocols, Dispatch Center, and Records Management System (RMS). These shared resources allow for seamless coordination and establish RTIC as a true countywide task force.”
Notable examples of RTIC wins
- 2024 November – Assisted Noblesville PD with locating a missing person
- 2024 November – Assisted HCSO with a trespassing case and subsequent theft arrest
- 2025 January – Assisted Carmel PD and IMPD by aerially monitoring a pursuit using the Drone as a First Responder (DFR) technology
- 2025 February – DFR assistance for Fishers PD during the apprehension of a stolen vehicle
- 2025 February – Assisted Carmel PD by using DFR as overwatch during a warrant arrest
- 2025 February – Assisted Westfield PD by using DFR as overwatch during a vehicle pursuit
- 2025 March – Assisted HCSO through notification of a warrant hit, which came from Flock License Plate Recognition. This information led to a traffic stop and arrest
- 2025 March – Assisted Noblesville PD on the report of a suspicious person case using live video from an Emergency Management camera trailer, leading to an arrest
- 2025 March – Assisted Carmel PD with locating a stolen vehicle
- 2025 April – Assisted NPD, monitored live video from camera until officers arrived for a known fraud suspect at bank. A vehicle pursuit with a getaway vehicle started. RTIC monitored available resources and provided a suspect crash location. Officers were able to find and arrest the driver of the fleeing vehicle.
- 2025 May – Assisted HCSO regarding a stolen vehicle, an alert was received for the vehicle traveling north on State Road 37, north of 146th Street. RTIC relayed information to HCSO units who then located the vehicle. A high-risk stop was conducted by HCSO and NPD, the driver was arrested.
- 2025 June – Assisted HSCO with a hit and run reported at 146th Street and Lowes Way that left southbound. RTIC located suspect vehicle utilizing investigative resources, and got phone numbers, address, and flock photo for the Deputy, HCSO used the information, arrived at the address it was the accurate suspect vehicle.