Clearance rates measure a law enforcement agency’s ability to solve crimes, but can vary in definition and are often used with other benchmarks. Cases can be resolved through arrest or other circumstances, and clearance rates differ based on the severity of the crime. Comparing data between jurisdictions is difficult due to varying definitions of crimes and laws. Clearance rates for serious crimes are generally higher than for less serious crimes, indicating resource allocation. The US national clearance rate for major crimes was 22% in 2009.
A clearance rate refers to the number of cases resolved by a particular law enforcement agency. It is a measure of an agency’s skill and efficiency in solving crimes, but is often used in conjunction with many other benchmarks, if used at all. The clearance rate can be broken down in several ways, including the type of crime committed or the severity of the crime. Settlement rates are not linked to convictions.
Law enforcement agencies erase a crime in two ways. The first way is when an arrest is made. This scenario is how most cases are eliminated and how the settlement rate is typically affected. The other way a case can be resolved is when a situation makes it impossible for the police to apprehend the perpetrator. This occurs in cases where the suspect is deceased or the victim may not cooperate with the investigation and refuse to press charges.
The customs clearance rate may not be strictly defined from one agency to another. Some agencies may define a clearance rate as simply when an arrest is made. Some might define it simply as identifying a suspect, whether or not that suspect is actually taken into custody. An acquittal on a charge does not mean that the case is not considered resolved from a law enforcement perspective.
Furthermore, the definition of a crime can also change from one jurisdiction to another. Some jurisdictions may have stricter laws than another jurisdiction, and those laws may be harder or easier to enforce. Additionally, police investigators cannot officially classify an incident as a felony in order to positively influence clearance rates. This makes comparing the data, or even relying on any part of the data, highly questionable.
In general, clearance rates for serious crimes, especially crimes against the person, are higher than for less serious crimes. This can provide an indication of how limited resources are being spent in a law enforcement agency. For example, a 2009 study in the state of Nevada that analyzed 10 years of data found that the homicide clearance rate was 80 percent, but the motor vehicle theft rate was only 7 percent.
In the United States, national clearance rates for major crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault were 22% in 2009. That number included a total of approximately 9.4 million cases investigated by local, state and federal agencies. . The long-term national rate trend in the United States is above 20%.
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