We can do more to improve how clearance rates are reported, but most importantly, we must do more to support agencies and communities to be able to solve more crimes. Pressure without support leads to shortcuts and unrealistic mandates.

We have a long list of policy options to reduce crime, such as:

• Improving police staffing & presence
• Strengthening investigations & case clearances
• Better DNA collection & analysis
• Scaling summer youth employment programs
• & more…

Reach out to discuss what could work in your state or city

A few of the things we are trying are noted here: pilot what has worked in related fields, focus on improving recruitment and retention of women, and identifying those roles that civilians can do to free up officer time.
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This is an incredibly important issue where we can’t simply throw things at the wall and hope they stick, but - especially in a changing labor market - need to be more intentional and rigorous in piloting, testing, and replicating what works. /3

I wrote a short post here on some of the points I addressed on police staffing.

marckrupanski.com/2025/08/07/s...

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