A new level of technology is being added to the Peoria Police Department.

The Peoria City Council recently approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to support a real-time crime center in the city.

Through the agreement, DPS will provide the city with $2.6 million to equip and operate the RTCC, tentatively planned for the Pinnacle Peak Public Safety Complex.

The mission of the RTCC is to centralize a broad range of current and evolving technologies in crime investigations, community policing and crime prevention.

The coordination of resources directs attention to high-crime areas, active crime in progress, large-scale public events that require law enforcement or fire-medical presence or response from the city.

The RTCC will be available for use by law enforcement agencies and fire departments and districts that are located in any city, town or county in the region, according to the agreement.

“Providing our police and fire departments with the tools they need to keep Peoria a safe community is a top priority for our city council, and this facility is aimed at improving safety throughout our neighborhoods and commercial areas,” said Mayor Jason Beck.” It will strengthen the city’s public safety efforts to deter, identify and solve crime.”

Preliminary design and development work is currently underway, with a completion date set for late 2024.