The New York City Police Department reportedly solved only about 59 percent of murders last year.

According to the New York Post, the so-called “clearance rate” — which is the number of cases where arrests are made — was down eight percentage points for murders last year compared to the year before, and five points lower than the national average.

Detectives tell the paper their workload has increased. They say with fewer officers on the force, they now have to handle misdemeanor cases as well.

They’re also taking longer to solve crimes which depend on DNA and other high-tech evidence.

Police spokesman Paul Browne tells the Post he expects the clearance rate for 2009 murders to rise as arrests are made and recorded this year.

(Source: NY1)