How Fairfield PD is Building the Future of Crime Reduction

How do you build a Real-Time Crime Center from the ground up—while dealing with staffing shortages and legacy systems?

In this episode, hosts Jamie Hudson and Caity Peak sit down with Lt. Nick McDowell of the Fairfield Police Department (CA) to explore how the agency is evolving its policing strategy through a new Real-Time Information Center. With over 15 years at Fairfield PD and 25+ years in law enforcement, Lt. McDowell shares his candid thoughts on staffing, generational shifts in tech comfort, drone deployment, and why the public now expects advanced crime-fighting tools like Flock LPRs.

🚨 This episode is a must-watch for agencies thinking about launching RTCCs, drone programs, or finding innovative ways to do more with less.

What You’ll Learn:
– Why Fairfield chose to build a Real-Time Center now
– The role of Flock Safety in enhancing investigations
– Challenges of staffing RTCCs with the right personnel
– How tech adoption is generational—and strategic
– Building trust and buy-in with the community

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00:00 - Intro: A personal connection to Fairfield
01:15 - Meet Lt. Nick McDowell
02:06 - New Real-Time Center: Purpose & vision
03:01 - Can tech solve crime? Expectations vs. reality
04:18 - Staffing the RTCC: Who’s the right fit?
06:23 - DFR pilots: Why field experience matters
08:03 - The hidden challenges of drone operations
09:48 - Spidey sense and street intuition in law enforcement
10:37 - Internal hiring and building early credibility
13:18 - Real Time Centers: Lessons from drone programs
15:00 - Policing in Solano County: Tradition vs. progress
15:40 - Why build now? Timing, tech, and staffing
16:30 - Flock LPR: From skepticism to success stories
17:51 - Reviewing 500+ camera feeds—costs and impact
19:22 - Matching roles with skill sets
20:10 - Real-time intel in action: The car accident example
22:06 - Dispatch centers already doing RTCC work
23:48 - Redefining the dispatcher role with support tech
24:34 - Pushing video data to patrol—what’s next
25:33 - Regional growth: RTCC momentum in Solano County
27:37 - Budget realities vs. community demand
29:06 - The case for a tech-focused police foundation
29:56 - From LPR to RTCC: Strategy over spectacle
30:18 - Closing thoughts