Based on the numbers, ‘case closed’ isn’t just an expression to the officers at the Oakland County Sheriff’s substation in Oxford Township, it’s a way of life.

Last year, the substation had the second highest clearance rate of the agency’s 12 substations in the county.

Of the 259 crimes reported, 63.71 percent were cleared, or closed. That means they either resulted in an arrest or were cleared by exceptional means.

Exceptional means are reasons beyond law enforcement’s control that prevented an offender from being arrested and formally charged. Examples include a victim’s refusal to cooperate or the prosecutor denying a warrant.

Ninety-eight of the crimes reported to the substation in 2018 resulted in arrests, while 67 were cleared by exceptional means.

Oxford’s clearance rate increased by 0.84 percent over the previous year.

“Going up is better than going down,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Patterson, who’s been substation commander since 2011

Patterson is proud of his officers, and not at all surprised by their performance.

He said the men and women under his command work hard and “apply themselves on a daily basis.”

“They’re pretty tenacious,” Patterson said. “They just don’t quit.”

The substation is staffed by 13 road patrol deputies, a detective, a school liaison (or resource) officer, a sergeant and a lieutenant. When they’re not patrolling the streets or investigating crimes, the lieutenant said his officers are busy sharpening their skills and increasing their knowledge through training.

“You have to stay on top of your game,” Patterson said.

The lieutenant noted Oxford’s high clearance rate isn’t just a result of his officers’ work. Support from citizens, who provide tips and vote in favor of police millages, and community leaders, who make sure the substation has everything it needs, plays a vital role, according to Patterson.

“You can’t do it on your own,” he said. “We’ve always been very well supported. Everybody works together because everybody has a vested interest in the community and keeping it safe.”

In neighboring Addison, the substation’s clearance rate increased from 56.63 percent in 2017 to 62.34 percent last year, which was the third highest in the county.

Of the 77 crimes reported in Addison, 28 resulted in arrests, while 20 were cleared by exceptional means.

Brandon Township’s substation had the top clearance rate in the county at 64.65 percent, while Oakland Township came in last with 44.52 percent.