This study examined the reorganization of robbery detectives from a decentralized to centralized model in one large department, so as to determine whether organizational structure affected robbery clearance.
Time-series regression models (Auto-Regressive, Integrated, Moving Average) demonstrated that the percentage of investigation-eligible robberies cleared by arrest increased and reported robberies decreased subsequent to the reorganization. Additionally, interviews indicated that organizational changes in case processing improved information collection and use, cooperation among detectives and other police, and the police-prosecutor interface. The organization of robbery detectives appears to facilitate case clearances and crime reduction. A more comprehensive research program on police investigations is recommended to fully assess the costs and benefits of detective configurations. (Publisher abstract modified)