By Brian Carlton, Josh Davis
Baltimore Sun
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Police cleared violent and property crimes at rates that beat national averages in 2025, according to data released Jan. 1, as the department reported gains across multiple categories.
The latest data shows the department’s homicide clearance rate reached 65% in 2025, surpassing the national average of 57.8%. Robbery clearances climbed to 44% — a sharp jump from 35% in 2024 and far above the national rate of 27.6%. Clearance rates for aggravated assault, burglary, rape and arson also exceeded national benchmarks, reflecting what officials described as stronger investigations and coordination across the department.
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“Public safety is our top priority, and I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department whose determination and commitment continue to make a meaningful impact,” Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in a statement “By working alongside our communities and partners, we will build on these successes to ensure every resident feels safe, supported and secure.”
Those comments were echoed by Baltimore Mayor Brandon. In a statement, Scott said that the clearance rates show progress not only in reducing violence but in holding offenders accountable.
“Each and every day [in 2025], the men and women of BPD worked to hold individuals accountable for causing harm in our communities,” Scott said in a statement. “They continued to restore trust with our residents — including by meeting additional requirements of the consent decree — and they helped us deliver on the comprehensive strategies that are driving down violence across our city.”
Looking at the numbers
Aggravated assault clearances for Baltimore Police rose to 72% in 2025, up from 60% a year earlier and well above the national average of 46.1%. Burglary clearances increased to 31%, more than double the national rate of 14.4%. Police also reported a 31% clearance rate for rape cases, topping the national average of 26.9%, while arson clearances climbed to 39%, compared with 26.9% nationally.
Overall the data showed crime continued to decline. The Baltimore Sun detailed the historic drop in the number of homicides, which you can read about online at baltimoresun.com. Thursday’s report also said that overall, the NIBRS Group A offenses in Baltimore fell 10% from 2024. The label refers to the 46 specific, detailed offenses like homicide, robbery, burglary and drug violations that law enforcement agencies report to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for every single incident.
The department credited those declines, in part, to a restructured Criminal Investigation Division, daily intelligence briefings and expanded use of data-driven deployments.
Speaking with The Baltimore Sun , Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates on Thursday applauded the work done to increase the clearance rates. He said part of it stems from a closer working relationship between his department and the police.
“It’s no different than having a two-parent household where you raise the children together,” Bates said, talking about the partnership between BPD and his office.
“When a murder happens, our office and BPD work together,” Bates said. “My prosecutors go to trial. They work with the police hand in hand [through a case].”
That includes saying when more evidence is needed or answering questions along the way, to make sure a case doesn’t get stalled or dismissed due to technical failures, he added.
More officers stay in the city
The department also reported improvement in staffing and retention. Sworn hiring rose to 241 officers in 2025, a 47% increase over the previous year, while attrition fell to a historic low of 158 sworn members. Officials said competitive pay, upgraded equipment and expanded wellness programs contributed to keeping officers on the job.
Police leaders said those investments, combined with ongoing reforms under the federal consent decree, helped strengthen investigations and boost clearance rates across multiple crime categories — a trend they say will be critical to sustaining Baltimore’s broader reductions in violence.
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