The Growing Use of Federated Queries in Dispatch and Real-Time Crime Centers

In modern public safety operations, the demand for real-time information sharing is at an all-time high. Dispatch centers and Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are increasingly adopting federated queries as a solution to the challenge of accessing data from multiple siloed databases. By leveraging federated queries, dispatchers and crime analysts can seamlessly pull data from various sources, providing officers with critical, comprehensive information during emergency responses.

However, implementing federated queries within dispatch and RTCC environments presents unique challenges. Not all roles within an agency have the clearance to access specific databases, and not all information obtained should be communicated over the radio. This makes it essential to have trained dispatchers who can also function as crime analysts. These individuals need to understand proper communication protocols, including when to disseminate information and how to avoid broadcasting sensitive data.

The Role of Trained Dispatchers

In practice, dispatchers who are skilled in crime analysis can effectively manage the balance between providing critical information and maintaining operational security. For example, data retrieved from an RTCC can include:

✅ ELMO Bracelet Information: Historical location data for individuals under electronic monitoring
✅ Corrections Data: Real-time status on individuals under correctional supervision, including parole or probation conditions
✅ Clerk of Courts Records: Warrants, restraining orders, and open case information
✅ DMV and Vehicle Registration Info: Ownership status, stolen status, registration flags
✅ Probation and Arrest Alerts: Notifications tied to prior field interviews or arrest activity
✅ State and Federal Watchlists: Including NCIC hits or local agency intelligence bulletins

Dispatchers must be able to discern what information is appropriate to broadcast—especially when the radio is held for emergency traffic. A well-trained dispatcher knows when to key up and when to let the analyst push information through notes instead.

Vendor Selection and Contractual Considerations

It is essential that agencies do not just look at functionality—but contract for it explicitly.

Write it into the contract. Require federated query functionality as a defined deliverable, not a vague capability.

Vet your vendors. Ask about prior deployments—not pilots, not demos. Call those agencies. Ask if the system actually works under load.

Avoid the change order trap. Many vendors will promise everything during procurement and seek a change order later to remove difficult deliverables. By the time you're 75% through deployment and your users are depending on the system, it becomes incredibly difficult and demoralizing to walk away.

Interoperability & The Importance of Sharing Data

Agencies that fail to share data operate in the dark.

Without federated access, a deputy might stop someone today who was field interviewed by the next jurisdiction two days ago for suspicious activity. If no arrest was made, that information may never cross jurisdictional boundaries.

By subscribing to cloud-based data brokers and allowing federated access, agencies unlock a more complete picture of what’s happening—not just within their jurisdiction, but across the entire region.

The True Value of Federated Queries

The true benefit lies in depth and context.

It’s no longer just about finding out if someone has a warrant or if a car is stolen. It's about learning who you’re dealing with—and what they’ve been involved in.

For example, a dispatcher might run a license plate or name and get:

• Prior contact history
• Associated field interviews
• Probation restrictions
• Pending court cases
• ELMO bracelet geolocation history
• Affiliation with known crime patterns

This context enhances officer safety, helps tailor the response approach, and provides better incident documentation.

My Experience: Teletype at BSO

When I worked Teletype at the Broward Sheriff’s Office, there were days you’d go 30 to 45 minutes with no real work, then have a flurry of 20-minute hustle. That’s what made the position desirable—it gave you time to catch up on Netflix or play handheld Xbox.

But when the requests came in, they were real.

I remember officers waiting over the air, asking us to run 10 names and 2 tags. At the time, the only information we’d return was:

• Whether the person had a warrant
• Whether they were on probation or parole
• Whether the vehicle was stolen
• Sometimes the driver’s license number

That was it. That was the sum total of information we could give.

Fast forward to today—and the same query can bring back field interviews, case summaries, real-time GPS pings, and even photos of associates.

That’s the difference.

RTCC-to-Radio Push Technology: Surfside Example

At the Surfside Building Collapse, an individual used a voided credential to sneak into the hot zone. Once Incident Command realized it, they used LTE radio cloud software to push his photo directly to the subscriber radios of everyone on the pile.

Within 10 minutes, responders located and detained the individual.

At the time, the photo had to be pushed via the LTE module. But now, many agencies have the capability to push photos and mission-critical alerts directly from the RTCC—without additional middleware.

This is the power of federated systems paired with smart, interoperable hardware.

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