05/31/2026
New Operations Hub to Enhance Tracking of Criminals and Stolen Vehicles, Says Halton Police
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is planning to establish a Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC) to improve its ability to identify criminal activity and recover stolen vehicles across the region.
During a police board meeting on May 28, HRPS presented its vision for the new centre, which will function as a centralized technology hub. The RTOC will collect, integrate, and analyze information from multiple sources, providing officers with real-time situational awareness and operational support.
The centre will combine live data feeds from CCTV cameras, drones, helicopters, automatic licence plate recognition (ALPR) systems, and other intelligence sources. It is expected to be located at police headquarters on North Service Road in Oakville, adjacent to the 911 communications centre.
According to Adam Woods, HRPS Director of Information Technology, the RTOC represents a shift toward a more connected and intelligence-driven model of policing.
“The RTOC represents the next evolution of policing, moving beyond traditional reactive models to a more connected, intelligence-led, real-time approach to public safety,” Woods said.
He explained that the centre will bring together various streams of real-time information—including surveillance footage, aerial video, vehicle recognition data, unit locations, and intelligence feeds—into a single operational platform.
Although the project is still in its early stages, HRPS shared AI-generated concept images during the presentation. The proposed setup includes a workstation equipped with multiple monitors and a large video wall made up of eight 55-inch display panels arranged in a four-by-two configuration. The display would measure approximately 2.5 metres wide and 1.4 metres high.
Initially, the RTOC is expected to be staffed by a uniformed sergeant who will make operational decisions on behalf of the duty officer. Working alongside dispatchers and other personnel, the sergeant will help coordinate responses to incidents and allocate resources across the Halton region.
Woods highlighted vehicle theft investigations as one example of how the centre could improve police operations.
“When a high-priority auto theft call is received, officers and dispatchers can dynamically shift resources and respond more effectively,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of CCTV systems, noting that they allow officers to verify events as they unfold rather than relying solely on reports or assumptions.
The RTOC will be designed to support not only police operations but also other emergency and municipal services, including fire, EMS, and public works departments.
HRPS has not yet announced the project's estimated cost or a timeline for implementation.