What is the standard caseload for detectives investigating sexual assault cases?

Although there is no official industry standard for how many cases a detective investigating sexual assault should carry, there are some informal standards that departments across the country have been using. For example, an audit was conducted in Portland, Oregon in June 2007, which included a review of data from nine additional cities. The report concluded that the average detective had a median annual caseload of 54, compared to Portland’s 5-year average of 56.

In Allocation of Personnel: Investigations, William Prummell identified the industry standard for a detective working major crimes (other than homicide) as 6-8 cases per month or 72-96 cases per year. He then utilized a formula and case assignment criteria from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and determined that detectives in that agency working major crimes (other than homicide) were assigned an average of 6 cases per month or 72 cases per year. This is on the lower end of the industry standard, but otherwise demonstrates consistency between the theory of an industry standard and the practice in at least this one particular agency.