Low Clearance Rate

Chicago’s rate of solving murders has edged up as homicides have dipped but still trails some other big cities.

Detective Shortage

Chicago has a lower proportion of detective slots than other big cities: 1,127 on a force of 13,352 total officers.

Misapplied Manpower

One issue the study identified: The fewest dedicated homicide detectives are assigned to the part of the city with the most murders.

Drop in Forensic Specialists

In 2014, the CPD stopped hiring police forensic investigators, the only personnel authorized to perform certain lab tests. The result: delays in processing homicide evidence.