By Brian Carlton, Josh Davis
Baltimore Sun
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Police cleared violent and property crimes at charges that beat nationwide averages in 2025, in accordance with information launched Jan. 1, as the division reported beneficial properties throughout a number of classes.
The newest information exhibits the division’s murder clearance fee reached 65% in 2025, surpassing the nationwide common of 57.8%. Robbery clearances climbed to 44% — a pointy soar from 35% in 2024 and much above the nationwide fee of 27.6%. Clearance charges for aggravated assault, housebreaking, rape and arson additionally exceeded nationwide benchmarks, reflecting what officers described as stronger investigations and coordination throughout the division.
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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 stated in an announcement “By working alongside our communities and partners, we will build on these successes to ensure every resident feels safe, supported and secure.”
Those feedback have been echoed by Baltimore Mayor Brandon. In an announcement, Scott stated that the clearance charges present progress not solely in decreasing violence however 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 stated in an announcement. “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 on the numbers
Aggravated assault clearances for Baltimore Police rose to 72% in 2025, up from 60% a 12 months earlier and nicely above the nationwide common of 46.1%. Burglary clearances elevated to 31%, greater than double the nationwide fee of 14.4%. Police additionally reported a 31% clearance fee for rape circumstances, topping the nationwide common of 26.9%, whereas arson clearances climbed to 39%, in contrast with 26.9% nationally.
Overall the information confirmed crime continued to say no. The Baltimore Sun detailed the historic drop within the variety of homicides, which you’ll examine on-line at baltimoresun.com. Thursday’s report additionally stated that total, the NIBRS Group A offenses in Baltimore fell 10% from 2024. The label refers back to the 46 particular, detailed offenses like murder, theft, housebreaking and drug violations that legislation enforcement businesses report back to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for each single incident.
The division credited these declines, partially, to a restructured Criminal Investigation Division, every day 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 accomplished to extend the clearance charges. He stated a part of it stems from a more in-depth working relationship between his division and the police.
“It’s no different than having a two-parent household where you raise the children together,” Bates stated, speaking concerning the partnership between BPD and his workplace.
“When a murder happens, our office and BPD work together,” Bates stated. “My prosecutors go to trial. They work with the police hand in hand [through a case].”
That contains saying when extra proof is required or answering questions alongside the best way, to verify a case doesn’t get stalled or dismissed as a consequence of technical failures, he added.
More officers keep within the metropolis
The division additionally reported enchancment in staffing and retention. Sworn hiring rose to 241 officers in 2025, a 47% improve over the earlier 12 months, whereas attrition fell to a historic low of 158 sworn members. Officials stated aggressive pay, upgraded tools and expanded wellness packages contributed to holding officers on the job.
Police leaders stated these investments, mixed with ongoing reforms beneath the federal consent decree, helped strengthen investigations and increase clearance charges throughout a number of crime classes — a development they are saying can be crucial to sustaining Baltimore’s broader reductions in violence.
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