Crime is among the major social problems that challenges society. It is, therefore, veryrnimportant for Social Work practitioners to study just how the criminal justice system operates.rnAmong the various components of the criminal justice system the police are very crucial tornthe public demand for justice. Bearing this in mind, this study focuses on the productivity ofrnthe police, and whether they deal effectively and efficiently in controlling crime. Because ofrnthe complexity of the police tasks, this research thesis limits itself to on the field of criminalrninvestigation.rnThe research report is intended to assess the performance problems observed in one ofrnthe sub-cities in the city of Addis Ababa. The research basically answers questions such as, Isrnthere a standard to measure performance in the criminal investigation? What is the existingrnpractice of measuring performance? Are the complainants satisfied with the performance ofrnthe police? How do the police and the prosecutors evaluate the performance level of therncriminal investigation section? Finally, it recommends a comprehensive approach which thernwhole police department can implement. The assumption is that the productivity of eachrnsection is strongly dependent on others. Thus, the initiative only in one section cannotrnmaterialize.rnWith regard to the study approach, both survey and non-survey methods were applied.rnQuestionnaires were administered to assess the satisfaction level of complainants. Keyrninformant interviews were conducted with detectives, detectives' supervisors, and prosecutors.rnPolice statistics were also analyzed. The results were analyzed based on a triangulationrnmethod.rnThe main findings of the study show that there is an absence of uniform measurementrnstandards in the field of criminal investigation; there is an inadequate level of knowledge andrnskill on the part of the detective, along with extremely large work loads which cause mostrncases to be inadequate for prosecution; there is an incompetent leadership, poor motivation,rnand ethical problems, that decrease police productivity. Lastly the study reveals that therncountry's police departments have no clear and uniform direction.rnBased on these findings, the researcher concludes that it is difficult to say that the subcity'srnpolice have made progress over the last three years. Based on the overall responses byrnthe police and the prosecutors, the performance level in criminal investigation is not at a goodrnlevel. Therefore, the study report finally suggests that a uniform application of communityorientedrnpolicing is the best strategy to improve police productivity