Crime is an election issue and presents a policy dilemma for politicians; the police are viewed as a resource in power struggles, and municipal corruption is sometimes considered part of the crime problem. During the 31 years after 1948, cities spent increasing amounts on crime policy, but their crime rates surged. The almost uniform rise in urban crime rates was not strongly related to factors that policymakers could control, but was caused by national trends in lifestyle, affluence, and the age structure of the population. However, citizens expect politicians to do something about crime, and elected officials respond by increasing investments in policing. In most cities, this did not produce substantial increases in police personnel, but meant that better paid and somewhat more officers were available to fight crime. Moreover, increased expenditures did not result in measurably different police activities. In a few cities, mayors or police commissioners manipulated the recording process to force crime rates down. Police departments in most cities have been a rich source of patronage, and many remain politicized despite government reforms. Finally, corruption of public officials has not disappeared, although it is not as widespread as in the 1940's and 1950's. Charts, 8 footnotes, and over 30 references are included.