Real-Time, Real Success: Spokane County's RTIC Improves Investigative Efficiency with FlockOS®

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, serving and protecting Washington state's fourth-largest county, champions technological innovation in community safety. Boasting vast recreational parks and the bustling Interstate-90, Spokane County knew the need for superior crime-fighting tech was paramount. The answer? 
Flock Safety LPR.

The Challenge

Building an RTIC is a major task. Integrating data across multiple jurisdictions not only poses technological challenges but demands inter-agency collaboration. 
While there was a will to share data, the journey to seamless integration wasn't straightforward. Spokane County required fast, reliable technology and a trustworthy, full-service partner.

The Solution

The response was the widespread installation of Flock Safety LPR cameras, offering realtime alerts, searchable evidence, analytics, and Vehicle Fingerprint® data on every roadway. Adding to the arsenal were the Flock Safety Flex™ LPR cameras, granting location flexibility, and Flock Safety long-range LPR for the county’s multiple high-speed, high-volume interstates and highways. The linchpin, however, was FlockOS®. Spokane County Sheriff's Office's RTIC, powered by this platform, offers unparalleled investigative tools and live video access from PTZ, drone, body-worn, and helicopter cameras from a comprehensive surveillance experience. By 2023, the office elevated its strategy, launching a Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC)powered by FlockOS®.

During RTIC's development, Spokane County initiated a Community Camera Registry programthrough FlockOS® and the Flock Safety Gateway video integration system. This unified publicand private footage, bolstering situational awareness and community involvement in crimeprevention. FlockOS® provides a customizable camera registry platform, allowing entities likeschools, businesses, and neighborhoods to register their devices, ensuring rapid access torelevant video feeds during investigations.

The Results

The integration of cutting-edge technology reaped immediate benefits:

1. Stolen Vehicle Recovery: A staggering 16 stolen vehicles were recovered within a month, all thanks to technology-enabled policing.
2. Arrests: Twenty arrests, a direct outcome of technology, bolstered the crime-fighting prowess of the force.
3. Boosted Morale: Enhanced teamwork among deputies while pursuing leads boosted 
morale and fostered cooperation.
4. Investigative Efficiency: The responsive nature of Flock ensured that deputies, analysts, and 
dispatchers reacted promptly and safely to calls for service.

Conclusion

Cracking a Commercial Burglary Case in 30 Seconds

In north Spokane County, a commercial burglary occurred where an individual breached a fence and entered a business, making off with several items. Nearby surveillance footage only offered a distant view of a pickup truck loading those items. The vehicle's details, especially the license plate, remained indiscernible. Enter Flock Safety. With its recently installed cameras positioned close to the scene, clear evidence was captured. Back at the RTIC, analysts used FlockOS® to search for the suspect’s vehicle. Within 30 seconds, they were able to identify the vehicle, the license plate and spot a unique stolen rolling cart in the truck bed. This real-time evidence played a pivotal role in the identification and arrest of the suspect.

Choosing the Right Technology Partner

Why did Spokane County SO zero in on Flock Safety'sFlockOS® for their RTIC?

Reliability and integration stand out.

Dustin Bonsgard, an Investigative Analyst for the Spokane County SO, attests, “Flock Safety made the integration oftechnology much easier for us because they take the brunt of the workload… The unmatched customer service seals the deal.” 

Bonsgard adds, “Flock Safety's customer service and support is incredible...”

Ready to Empower Your Force and Safeguard Your Community? Experience FlockOS® in Action Today.