Police departments’ “clearance rates” — the percentage of cases they declare closed — are one of the most widely cited benchmarks for how effectively they combat crime. Lawmakers reference clearance rates in hearings, mayors cite them during police budget debates, and community members often use them to judge how well their local department is functioning. […]
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/11/26/repub/why-clearance-rates-dont-tell-the-whole-story-about-solving-crimes/
Why ‘clearance rates’ don’t tell the whole story about solving crimes
