Real Time Information Center
Real Time Information Center
Captain Adam Minner
aminner@knoxvilletn.gov
The Knoxville Police Department’s Real Time Information Center (RTIC) is housed at the Public Safety Complex and utilizes a network of public and privately-owned cameras. The RTIC is designed to support officers in the field responding to calls for service and detectives conducting criminal investigations.
The RTIC complements 911 dispatch by providing critical, time-sensitive updates to officers in the field as they respond to incidents.
In addition to assisting officers responding to calls for service, the RTIC serves as a powerful investigative tool, helping detectives generate leads and close cases after crimes occur.
The RTIC also provides vital infrastructure and resources to support KPD and other public safety partners during natural disasters, large-scale emergencies and other critical events.
RTIC owned and managed cameras are overt in nature with the intentions of serving as a crime deterrent in the areas they are installed.
Through the Connect Knoxville program, businesses and residents have the ability to voluntarily register or integrate security cameras to support the RTIC’s mission and strengthen the safety of the Knoxville community.
For questions about the Connect Knoxville program, contact the RTIC directly at KPDRTIC@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-7709.
KPD's RTIC Camera Locations
RTIC owned and managed cameras are installed at the following locations. Camera locations were chosen based on three years of police calls for service and in consideration of available infrastructure.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue at Chestnut Street
- Daylily Drive at Joe Lewis Road
- Oldham Avenue at Reed Street
- Broadway at Depot Avenue
- Broadway at 5th Avenue
- Merchant Drive at Merchant Center Boulevard
- Chapman Highway at Moody Avenue
- Broadway at McCroskey Avenue
- Western Avenue at University Avenue
- Texas Avenue at Sherman Street
License Plate Readers
The Knoxville Police Department has utilized fixed License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras since 2021.
KPD deploys Axon LPR cameras and currently has 19 fixed LPRs installed at the following locations. The locations were chosen based on an analysis of reported crime, the availability of necessary infrastructure and in consideration of the most effective deployment of the technology.
- Merchant Drive at I-75
- Washington Pike at Whittle Springs Road
- McConnell Street at Bethel Avenue
- Merchant Drive at Ridgefield Road
- Merchant Drive at Merchant Center Boulevard
- Keith Avenue at Western Avenue
- E. Jackson Avenue at Morgan Street
- Wilson Avenue at Harrison Street
- Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue at Chestnut Street
- Middlebrook Pike at Liberty Street
- University Avenue at Western Avenue
- Summit Hill Drive at Patton Street
- Heiskell Avenue at Rudy Street
- 17th Street at Dale Avenue
- Oldham Avenue at I-275
- Summit Hill Drive at Walnut Street
- 5th Avenue at Broadway
- Sevierville Pike at James White Parkway
- Texas Avenue at Western Avenue
In addition to the 19 fixed LPR cameras, KPD currently utilizes 30 mobile LPR cameras that are integrated within officer dashcams and spread out across the department’s three Field Operations districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the RTIC work?
When a call for service comes in through 911, RTIC staff check to see if a camera is located near the incident. If a camera is available, staff monitor the footage in real time and relay what they see directly to responding officers. This may include suspect or victim descriptions, vehicle details or important information about the scene or surrounding area. When the officer has finished responding to the call, the staff move on to the next call.
Is the RTIC used for surveillance?
The RTIC is used in response to a 911 call for service, as a tool for detectives conducting a criminal investigation, and as a resource to assist public safety efforts during special events and large-scale emergencies.
What are LPRs? How do they work?
LPRs capture photos of passing vehicles and vehicle license plates and record the time and date a vehicle was seen by the camera.
When a vehicle that was reported stolen or that is associated with a wanted person or reported crime passes an LPR, officers are notified of the LPR hit. Nearby officers can then quickly respond, verify the authenticity of the LPR hit and take appropriate law enforcement action.
As allowed by policy, officers and detectives investigating a crime in which a vehicle description is known can search the LPR system to assist in developing actionable leads and identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
LPR data is retained for 30 days, unless it is preserved specifically for investigative or prosecutorial purposes.
How does the RTIC protect privacy?
The KPD has robust policies that prioritize the responsible and ethical use of technology. You can read KPD’s RTIC policy here.
What policies or structures are in place to protect against LPR misuse?
KPD policy requires that any inquiry of the LPR system must be appropriately documented and associated with an incident report number. The policy also requires that officers visually verify the authenticity of an LPR hit before taking any law enforcement action.
KPD’s LPR system also includes robust auditing capabilities that document every inquiry and all actions performed within the system. Those systems are overseen by command-level personnel.
Any potential violations of the LPR policy would be subject to Office of Professional Standards investigation.
KPD’s license plate reader policy can be found in its entirety here.
What other cities have Real Time Information Centers or similar tools?
The Chattanooga Police Department has had a Real Time Information Center in operation since 2017. The Memphis Police Department also has a Real Time Crime Center. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has a Community Safety Center that functions similarly to the Real Time Information Center model.
What is Fusus?
Fusus is a camera integration platform that allows the monitoring of video feeds from multiple sources simultaneously. Individuals and businesses can voluntarily register their camera or share video feeds with KPD through the platform.
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Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 215-7000
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