Guilty As Charged: Confessions of a Chicago PD Binger

I am not ashamed to admit that I love watching Chicago PD. When I began viewing the series it had been airing already for a few years so I wanted to go back and catch up. A couple of weeks ago I was checking out Peacock, a free streaming app, and was pleasantly surprised to find every episode available going back to day one. I have been binge watching about 3 episodes daily and am proud to call Chicago PD my guilty sometimes cringe worthy pleasure.

Chicago PD is a police show that began airing on NBC back in 2014. The fictional show has received much scrutiny for the often unlawful and immoral actions of the officers employed in the 21st district. At the center of attention, is a tough cop named Sergeant Hank Voight who leads the policeman and women in a unit called Intelligence. Voight is always viewed under scrutiny suspected as a “dirty cop”. His high success rates in obtaining confessions are often the result of torturing suspected criminals. Although the tactics executed by him and even his team regularly comes under fire as illegal, he adamantly maintains the motto “By any means necessary.”

I have loved cop shows since I was a child. As an early 70’s baby, I had the fortune of growing up when cop shows were at their golden. More important than story lines, were stand out characters for me. One of my favorites and in my opinion, one of the most memorable, was the character of Detective Colombo played by Peter Falk. He was a scruffy detective who wore a rumpled beige raincoat. He was known to carry a cigar and would speak about his wife a lot but no one ever saw her. His quirkiest trait was his teasing manner of conversation which always drew out confessions. His Catchphrase “Just one more thing” was hilarious.

In comparison, Hank Voight, played by actor Jason Beghe, is much more forthright. He does not draw things out with a comedic flair yet is brash and an in your face type of guy. What originally drew me in to Chicago PD is the gravelly and scary tone to his voice. His hot temper and zero tolerance for bullshit hide a softer side denoting sympathy. Despite his criminal qualities which keep him under the watchful eye of internal affairs, Voight does good deeds helping out people in need throughout the series including a female officer who he took in as a teenager named Erin Lindsay( played by Sophia Bush). This complex personality of good cop versus bad cop with a bit of gangster undertone is continuous throughout the series. Without doubt, this guy is not one to mess with!

With continued viewing of this show, I have become curious about different aspects of police work, duties and so forth. I had questions brewing in my mind about the characters and confess to conducting some investigative work on my own. Here are my most pressing concerns and the results from a combination of background check, statistics analyzation and conclusions based on evidence at hand.

1. Is there such a thing as an Intelligence Unit within the police force?

Larger police units do employ intelligence and the Chicago Police Department has one but it is nothing like what is seen in the show. It is not housed in the same building as patrol and the employees do not catch the action that Voight and his team get. Intelligence investigates and works with the states attorney’s office to get criminals prosecuted. They may interview witnesses and obtain search warrants but they do not make the arrests or prove crimes.

2. Is Hank Voight’s voice naturally raspy or is it just for character?

Actor Jason Beghe says his voice has always been a bit hoarse but was worsened by a near fatal car accident in 1999. He broke his neck, back, all of his ribs and damaged both of his lungs. Beghe spent three and half weeks in a coma and while intubated he kept pulling the tube out of his throat resulting in his notorious gravelly voice of today. Undoubtedly, this unfortunate incident has strengthened his acting career as a believable brash detective.

3. Did the cast of Chicago PD receive any special training for the show?

The actors participated in boot camp type training for the show with retired SWAT personnel and real Chicago Police officers. They learned everything from weapons handling and shooting to the importance of proper hand cuffing techniques. Technical advisors and cops stay on set all day in the windy city teaching the actors new tricks and guiding them through scenarios they are unfamiliar with. Although stunt doubles take on most of the dangerous physical scenes, I did read an interview from 2014 featuring Sophia Bush (Officer Lindsay) who said they do get to participate in some of the stunt work. Actor Jesse Lee Soffer who plays Jay Halstead once commented in an interview that he would pretty much do anything allowed, and reports using actual live ammo in a scene where hinges were blown off a door.

4. What is the crime rate in Chicago?

Much of Chicago PD is filmed in the Pilsen neighborhood in the lower west side. In the past, this area was known as one of the most violent and dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. According to statistics for 2020, violent crime saw a surge over the year while overall crime declined with burglaries and thefts falling 26% and sexual assaults down by 19%. The state of Illinois made the top 25 list for 2020 housing one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. but the listed city is Rockford instead of Chicago. Surpassing the windy city, Rockford reports a violent crime rate of 1,386 incidents per 100,000 people making it the most dangerous city in the state of Illinois.

5. Where did Voight get all the money that is in his basement safe?

Officers Halstead and Ruzek (played by Patrick Fluegar) estimated that Voight has at least half a million in his basement safe. It is interesting to note that although there is not one specific mention to where all the money came from, it is highly plausible for one to conclude that Hank collected pay offs from gangs and bribes. In the early season, one of his contacts and gang leader Maurice Owens (played by David Aron Damane), was a valued informant. Voight bailed him out after an arrest for selling drugs to keep him on the street as his eyes and ears. He collected payments from him to keep him on the street while turning his head to all of his indiscretions. Throughout the series there are other mentions by criminals and officials alike, accusing him of collecting “street taxes” from drug lords for protection. Whatever the case may be, the money sits in the basement and only is dipped into in emergencies. Voight has helped a young boy get out of gang life relocating him with his aunt and he even put a $90,000 reward on the street for the name of his son’s murderer.

As much as I am a huge fan of Chicago PD now, I have to admit I was a somewhat leery in the beginning. The topic of police brutality has been ongoing and a front runner of controversy especially over the last year. There are critics who feel that the show glorifies police violence only contributing to the bad reputation that the police force has gotten across our nation. Here is a look at a couple of scenes’ displaying unlawful methods all containing cringe worthy actions taken by Voight. Warning: may be disturbing to some viewers!!

By giving the show a shot and continuing to watch, I have disregarded my initial feelings of uncertainty towards Chicago PD. The officers in this intelligence unit all have backstories and go through some pretty emotional and challenging trials in each of their personal lives. Considering the violence and danger they each face daily putting their lives at risk, it is fair to assume that having any kind of normal life outside of the unit is limited and accompanied with its own set of challenges relating to family, friends or romantic relationships beyond the precinct door.

In addition to the personal hurdles the officers of the 21st district face, there are plenty of times when judgement is called into question. To be a member of the intelligence unit is a privilege and if Voight gives the go ahead then he expects much more than just a patrolman. New recruits stay close behind the seasoned officers and are closely observed to see if their head is in the game with dedication. Alvin Olinsky (played by Elias Koteas) and Voight’s right hand man have a history dating back 20 years. He is an “old school” cop and perhaps the best undercover in the unit. He breaks in officer Adam Ruzek(Patrick Flueger) fresh out of the academy and routinely tests his ability to focus on the job at hand. Olinsky, much like Voight in his tactics, only wants people in the unit who will serve above and beyond without distractions. At any given moment a split decision can cost an officer their own life or jeopardize the lives of fellow intelligence members.

Surely, Chicago PD is full of action packed chase scenes and confrontations with villains, and no doubt the unpredictable mind of Hank Voight keeps me on the edge of my seat, but the storylines ultimately are engaging. I think producers demonstrate the difficulty living life fighting in law enforcement accurately along with the constant emotional turmoil that the officers experience. This type of life is not cut out for everyone and I do not personally feel that the focus is on violence but rather the pressures people are put under in highly stressful and dangerous situations, and the ability to make life and death situations on a drop of a dime. Sometimes stepping beyond legal and moral measures is what Voight and his team go up against which may leave one questioning: What if this was me? What would I do and would I be able to live with my decisions?

Like all action packed dramas, there are the lighter moments. Sergeant Judy Platt (played by Amy Morton) is the sarcastic and often rude desk Sergeant at the 21st district. Underneath her tough exterior is a truly loving and devoted “Mother” figure of the precinct. She comes off as a tough cookie and is especially hard on the patrolman but whenever an officer is injured, killed or going through a tough time, she is the first person to step up to the plate taking action. Her character is one of my favorites playing a strong supportive female role in the police force. Here is a look at Platt along with the rest of the cast highlighting some of the best moments of humor on Chicago PD.

Currently Chicago PD is currently airing season 8 of a series that has been approved for renewal through season 10. The cast has seen some major characters come and go in its evolution and changes are set into play for the windy city’s intelligence unit. Following suit with current affairs like other shows centering shows on Covid, Chicago PD is focusing on much needed police brutality reform. Season 8 will be nothing short of interesting as Voight’s volatile conduct and old ways are being pushed into a much needed serious change enforced by Deputy Superintendent Miller (Nicole Ari Parker). He is warned that if he keeps running his unit like the previous 7 years that he will be out of a job by Christmas.

The unit is divided on the whole reform issue brought on by a hauntingly emotional ending to season 7. Officer Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) the only African American officer in the intelligence unit has dealings with a racist cop, Tom Doyle (Mickey O'Sullivan), who ultimately is shot and loses his life after engaging in an incident involving racial profiling. The pair was undercover and Officer Doyle pursued a young black male wearing a hoodie and carrying a black duffle bag into a building without any probable cause. The young man simply was dropping off a pair of sneakers to his cousin inside and Doyle had absolutely no reason to stop him. Atwater, keeping his cover follows Doyle inside where Doyle’s aggressive unlawful behavior begins a shootout resulting in both his death and that of the innocent young man. Atwater’s brave decision to report the truth about the incident and the deceased Doyle landed him making many enemies among the police force. These other policeman were completely knowledgeable of Doyle’s past and racist ways but were willing to let him die as a so called hero.

I have to admit, I believe that the producers are taking the right direction with Chicago PD by focusing on police reform. Although this will certainly stir up some trouble and potentially heated conflicts within the force specifically intelligence, the show is staying current demonstrating the reality of police brutality in society. Not only will intelligence have to develop better strategies dealing with suspects, the officers will be up against some serious backlash facing revenge from members of their own force wearing the very same uniform.

Two more seasons to go and I will be completely caught up on the back episodes of Chicago PD. I look forward to ongoing changes within the intelligence unit and am rooting for Hank Voight to get his temper under control. I love to see the bad guys are caught and yes, sometimes I want to knock some of these people out too, but the reality is that aggravated force by the guys in blue is not acceptable. It is refreshing to see the push for change within the police force and I will ride out the tide waiting to see how the officers’ wage not only in the war on the streets dealing with criminals, but the war created among the men and women in blue prompted by a simple disclosure of truth. I close with a final confession: I am glad Atwater had the courage to reveal a truth that everyone else was willing to hide behind.

Season 7 finale clip: Cops are making Atwater aware he has many enemies on the force after revealing the deviance of a racist cop.