Does Organizational Structure Matter? Investigation Centralization, Case Clearances, and Robberies. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCluskey, John D.; Cancino, Jeffrey M.; Tillyer, Marie Skubak; Tillyer, Rob
• Is Part Of: Police quarterly. Volume 17:Number 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: investigations -- case clearances -- organization -- robbery; Police -- Periodicals; Law enforcement -- Periodicals; Police -- Périodiques; Lois -- Application -- Périodiques; 363.2
• DOI: 10.1177/1098611114546229
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1098-6111

Abstract

This study examines the reorganization of robbery detectives from a decentralized to centralized model in one large department, with the purpose of understanding whether organizational structure affects robbery clearance. Time-series regression models (Auto-Regressive, Integrated, Moving Average) demonstrate that the percentage of investigation-eligible robberies cleared by arrest increased and reported robberies decreased subsequent to the reorganization. Additionally, interviews indicated organizational changes in case processing with respect to information collection and use, cooperation among detectives and other police, and the police–prosecutor interface. The organization of robbery detectives appears to be important to 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.