'It makes us better': Visiting IMPD's Real Time Crime Center & the civilian analysts at the helm

INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers visibly patrol the streets every day. Detectives are always working cases. Behind the scenes, there are also civilian analysts working in real time to help keep them and the city safe.




FOX59/CBS4 cameras were the first inside IMPD's Real Time Crime Center since its renovation.




"A couple of months ago, I came into work. I was the first one in that morning," IMPD civilian analyst Whitley Ames said. "We had a domestic with a weapon that turned into a non-custodial kidnapping."




While officers on scene quickly worked to figure out where the suspect took off to that day, Ames recalls lending a hand from her desk, miles across the city, using watchtower cameras to spot his license plate in a matter of minutes.




"We were able to safely locate him and the child," Ames said. "He was taken into custody and the child was returned to the mom."




It's just one example of the kinds of cases Ames helps close. Court documents show this recent case resulted in the suspect getting busted for drugs and having a gun as a felon. He has since been formally charged with dealing cocaine, narcotics and marijuana, in addition to unlawful possession of a firearm.




"It also just gives me a piece of comfort of, somebody went home safe today and it's because I did something right," Ames said.




Where there's crime, analysts in IMPD's newly renovated Real Time Crime Center have eyes - scouring cameras, license plate readers and any new, emerging technologies for critical information that even witnesses may not have.




"I haven't been on the street for several years. A lot of the stuff we have now - it didn't exist when I was a patrol officer, and I wish it did," Lieutenant Steve Griffith said.




Lt. Griffith said the department welcomes homeowners and businesses to join in providing security camera feeds through its b-link program, and will soon place 49 new license plate readers around Indy - further beefing up a program he said has already developed substantially in recent years.




Each of the six districts has its own analyst, plus the real-time team, and those in investigative roles - working alongside forensics in every major unit.




"I don't think it's a coincidence that as we built this program, as we've set up this Real Time Crime Center, we're seeing decreases in crime in Indianapolis and we're able to make this city a safer place," he said.




Lt. Griffith added that department leaders continuously look for ways to remain at the cutting edge; they're taking time to celebrate the civilians who are just as invested in public safety ahead of National Crime and Intelligence Analyst Appreciation Day this Saturday.




In the following statement, Chief Chris Bailey said analysts' insights "empower officers."

"Our analysts are an instrumental part of our crime-fighting strategy. Their insights empower our officers and detectives to respond swiftly and effectively. They help us understand citywide trends, pinpoint key drivers of criminal activity, and identify emerging hot spots. In many ways, they are our eyes on the broader landscape - ensuring we stay proactive, informed, and focused on keeping Indianapolis safe."




-IMPD Chief Chris Bailey









"My main goal at the end of every day is to make sure everybody makes it home alive," Ames added.