Rochester, NY — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with our local, state, and federal first responder partners, is proud to announce the launch of its new Regional Investigative Operations Center (RIOC) — a state-of-the-art Real-Time Crime Center, first of its kind in Western NY, designed to strengthen law enforcement coordination, streamline investigations, and improve public safety across Monroe County and the surrounding region.

Through strong partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies, fire, EMS, the Monroe Crime Analysis Center (MCAC), the Rochester Threat Advisory Committee (ROCTAC), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the RIOC addresses the growing risks of targeted violence and domestic violent extremism, as well as assists with developing critical incidents, crime patterns, missing persons, weather-related emergencies, and much more. It is staffed by deputies and analysts specifically trained in identifying, assessing and mitigating threats of mass violence. There is additionally a component to plan for large-scale multi-jurisdictional events in our community that draw large crowds, such as the PGA.

The RIOC integrates the latest technology, real-time data analysis, and collaboration between multiple law enforcement partners to provide immediate intelligence and situational awareness during active incidents and ongoing investigations. The center allows analysts and deputies to link directly to public safety alarm systems, camera networks, license plate readers, Drone as First Responder technology, and up-to-the-minute crime data to support responding deputies, police, investigators, fire, EMS, and other critical service providers in the field. This facility changes the paradigm of policing and is truly a force-multiplier, harnessing all the information law enforcement officers on patrol need at their fingertips, in one location.

“The RIOC is a game-changer for our region and a major step forward in how we protect and serve our community,” said Monroe County Sheriff Todd K.  Baxter. “This center gets critical information to the right people, especially first responders on the ground, in real time, helping prevent violence, solve cases faster, and keeps our citizens and first responders safer. As we expand our capabilities, we remain committed to protecting privacy and securing the data we collect. Public safety is a team effort, and through the RIOC we’re combining cutting- edge technology with strong partnerships across DCJS, our Crime Analysis Centers, Emergency Management, and local law enforcement to make our region safer - together.”

The RIOC’s foundation is built on public trust and transparency, and cannot be successful without it. In the development of this center, we have taken significant steps to ensure the technology is utilized within the framework of our Constitution and laws, as well as federal and state regulations, respecting the privacy expectations of our community. All the while, relentlessly pursuing people causing harm to citizens. We are intentionally being proactive to protect your information, understanding full-well how valuable and important it is to all individuals.

In fact, transparency is a fundamental cornerstone of RIOC, as we work to make information available to the public. We are in the process now of adding to the Sheriff’s Office website, links that citizens can access to see what’s being done in the RIOC and how it may affect their neighborhoods; an investment in people and public safety.

“The RIOC is a 21st Century real-time crime center that represents a major step forward in how our local law enforcement agencies work together to keep our community safe,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “Part of the historic $7.3 million investment my administration made in the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the RIOC will improve communication and coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies, and will feature the latest technology and tools to improve investigations and police response times, prevent crime before it happens, deliver critical crime data analysis, and much more. This is an investment in smarter policing, stronger partnerships, and a safer future for every Monroe County resident.”

The new center supports regional collaboration, allowing agencies across jurisdictional lines to share information as it occurs. This cooperative approach enhances the collective ability to respond to violent crime, locate missing persons, and address emerging threats with greater precision. No matter the patch on a responding officer’s sleeve, we can all work together to solve crimes quicker, tend to victims faster, and work more efficiently as one team.

"The Regional Investigative Operations Center (RIOC) is a critical asset for our first responders,” said Monroe County Legislator and Public Safety Chairman David Long. “By uniting cutting-edge technology with highly trained personnel, the RIOC is designed to immediately strengthen the effectiveness and safety of our police, fire, and EMS agencies across Monroe County. Its ability to provide real-time situational updates and seamless information sharing is vital to ensuring a fully coordinated, multi-disciplinary response to any crisis or critical incident.”

The RIOC is made possible thanks to $11.7 million that MCSO pursued and was generously awarded, as part of a $127 million New York State Division of Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Technology grant. A portion of these funds was applied toward the purchase of technology, license plate readers, cameras for security areas, body worn cameras, and in-car cameras that are mounted to patrol car dashboards. All of these tools have the ability to feed live video into the RIOC in an effort to prepare and respond.

“The RIOC shows what can be achieved when agencies work together with a shared commitment to public safety,” said New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado. “By combining technology, data, and expertise, Monroe County is strengthening its response to crime and creating a model for collaboration that benefits the entire region.”

In addition to our local and state partnerships, we are also grateful for our collaboration with our federal partners, to include the FBI Task Force, assisting with investigating threats. This federal cooperation aides in the effort to be as best prepared for an emergency, disaster, or the unthinkable – a mass critical incident involving targeted violence.

Critical funding at the federal level, $940,000 in 2024 earmarked specifically for RIOC, punctuates the commitment and investment in our community’s safety.

"The launch of the Regional Investigative Operations Center marks a significant step toward a safer community for everyone," said U.S. Congressman Joseph Morelle. "By integrating advanced technology and collaboration across agencies, Monroe County is setting a new standard for public safety. I'm proud to have supported this initiative with $940,000 in Community Project Funding that will help protect our families and support our local law enforcement."

“The RIOC is where federal investment meets Monroe County ingenuity,” said U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer. “I was proud to secure this federal funding last year, and today we see the results: a state-of-the-art center that enables the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to work faster, share information more efficiently, and stay a step ahead of those who would do harm. The RIOC is an important new capability to support our local law enforcement efforts to safeguard the community and to proactively combat emergent crime trends across Monroe County.  I commend Sheriff Baxter on leading this initiative that marks a significant step forward in public safety.”

The capabilities of this facility also incorporate threat assessment management through the use of the Rochester Threat Advisory Committee (ROCTAC). While we can’t prevent every act of targeted violence, we have built a culture where information is shared and professionals in our community work together within a unified framework to prevent acts of violence and violent extremism. ROCTAC, a model for threat assessment, lives inside this hub, providing a place for information to be shared with the goal of preventing an attack before it occurs.

As we continue to buildout the RIOC, our next phase (Spring 2026) includes growing many of our programs, to include our Drone program. We plan to launch the Drone as a First Responder Program, utilizing remotely piloted drones to provide real-time situational awareness. The program aims to improve response times, enhance public safety and support first responders during emergencies. A pilot sitting in the Operations Center is able to control the drone, get it to the scene of an incident that is unfolding, and relay critical information to those first responders on scene with the use of the 360-degree view from the sky.

Additionally, we plan to deploy License Plate Readers as a means for solving crimes and enhancing public safety. This tool allows law enforcement officers to quickly identify stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and deter criminal activity. LPRs offer invaluable data-driven insights that can help to apprehend dangerous suspects and reunite families faster in emergencies. When every second counts, this technology can make all the difference.

And lastly, we underscore the importance of the partnerships we have built and continue to build with our local school districts, colleges, universities, hospital systems and retailers. We appreciate the trust you have established with us to respond to more efficiently respond to emergencies by working hand-in-hand with the RIOC, in an effort to better respond to the places where our citizens, our children, our community members live, work, study and play.

None of us, not law enforcement, fire, EMS, public safety, can operate in a silo. The RIOC is the present and the future; an investment in our collective public safety. It is your Regional Investigative Operations Center and has the best interests of our entire community at the forefront of operations.

About the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is committed to serving and protecting the residents of Monroe County through integrity, professionalism, and community partnership. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and transparency, the Office continues to advance public safety initiatives that make our community stronger and safer.

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Amy Young
Communications Director
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
MCSOCommunications@monroecounty.gov
(585) 753-4518