SUPPORTING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR VIOLENT CRIME INVESTIGATIONS

Waco Police Department (WPD) serves the City of Waco, Texas, which has a population of around 145,000 residents and covers an area of approximately 100 square miles. Over the past several years, Waco has experienced steadily declining violent and nonviolent crime rates. In 2024, the total number of criminal homicides (not including cases involving self-defense) was six, which was down from 10 in 2023. WPD solved five of those six homicides in 2024, resulting in a clearance rate of 83%. WPD attributes its strong homicide clearance rates to several factors, including a focus on prevention, intervention, and a robust investigative approach.

WPD participated in the National Case Closed Project to identify ways to continue to improve their fatal and nonfatal shooting clearance rates. Their assessment report, provided at the bottom of the page with the permission of the department, provides findings and recommendations from the National Case Closed Project's assessment of WPD's response to fatal and nonfatal shootings.

Operations

The WPD's Investigations Command is dedicated to solving crimes and protecting the community through three main divisions: Special Victims, Criminal Investigations, and Special Investigations. The Special Victims Division handles some of the most sensitive cases, including homicides, sexual assaults, family violence, and crimes against children, while also supporting victims and families with specialized services. The Criminal Investigations Division focuses on crimes such as fraud, assaults, burglaries, auto theft, and nonfatal shootings, using data and analysis to help bring cases to resolution. The Special Investigations Division works to disrupt drug activity, gang crime, and organized crime, and partners with local, state, and federal agencies to take dangerous offenders off the streets.

Beyond investigations, WPD also operates the Patrol Operations Command and the Support Services Command. Support Services includes the Crime Scene Unit and community-focused programs like the Neighborhood Engagement Team, Citizens on Patrol, and the Junior Police Academy. These programs create opportunities for residents to connect with officers, learn about policing, and take an active role in keeping their neighborhoods safe.

Assessment Results

An RTI-led team comprising criminal investigators, forensic scientists, attorneys, and researchers assessed WPD's policies and practices related to their response to fatal and nonfatal shootings. The assessment included a review of WPD policies, a review and analysis of fatal and nonfatal shooting case files, personnel interviews within WPD and among external partners, and on-site observations of WPD facilities, equipment, and staff interactions.

Overall, the assessment team found that personnel at WPD are dedicated, take initiative, and work hard to improve the lives of the people they serve. WPD demonstrates notable strengths in its shooting response, with the Gang Unit, CSIs, and analysts highly respected both internally and by external partners such as the USAO and MCDAO, who praised WPD's strong work and relationships. The department is also recognized for its commitment to community engagement. At the same time, gaps remain, particularly in investigative effort and case documentation for nonfatal shootings, as well as the need for stronger supervision. To address these challenges, adding staff to units such as cold case investigations, CSU, crime analysis, and VSU is recommended, with support from the NCCP to help prioritize these positions.

The NCCP team will work with WPD to determine which recommendations the agency can address and will support the agency in implementing and evaluating changes to how they respond to fatal and nonfatal shootings.

*To learn more about WPD's Assessment, please contact caseclosed@rti.org.

Resources

• Response to Fatal and Non-fatal Shootings Assessment: Final Report, ?? 20??