One of the greatest aspects of earlier Chicago PD seasons was its integration of patrol officers and their relationship with the Intelligence Unit, and it's high time for the show to return to this former glory.
In the NBC series' later seasons, the cops previously on patrol were either promoted to Hank Voight's team or disappeared and were never heard from again. However, Trudy Platt, the Desk Sergeant at the 21st District, remains a main character in the show, even though one of her major roles was as the intermediary between patrol and Intelligence.
By reintroducing patrol officers, Chicago PD will finally remember how to utilize Platt's character. Plus, uniformed cops would undoubtedly infuse some life back into a show that has been severely lacking creativity and excitement as of late. Thankfully, there are five easy ways to bring patrol officers back to Chicago PD in season 11.
5 Introduce A Rookie Cop In Chicago PD Season 11
CHICAGO PD – You and Me – Episode 922 Jason Beghe as Hank Voight
With Jay Halstead leaving in Chicago PD season 10 and Adam Ruzek's fate hanging in the balance after the season finale's cliffhanger, it might be time for some new blood at the 21st District. On a practical, level, there are few better ways to introduce a new character than via patrol. Plus, it would be even more interesting if that new character was a rookie cop.
The newbie would be accompanied by their training officer, which means that there would, theoretically, be two new patrol officers in season 11 — the more, the merrier. By introducing a rookie and their training officer, the show would be creating multiple intriguing dynamics, not only between the two patrol cops but also between them and the Intelligence Unit. The rookie would definitely be way out of their element alongside Voight and his team, but Chicago PD is nothing without conflict and drama.
4 Bump Torres Down To Patrol
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Chicago PD first introduced Dante Torres as a member of the Bureau of Patrol in season 9. When Halstead decided to mentor him, Torres was eventually taken out of patrol and transferred into the Intelligence Unit, where he has remained. However, Torres is still new and susceptible to making mistakes (as seen in season 10, episode 21). With this in mind, it seems like it perhaps would do him some good to return to patrol for a bit, where he can still work alongside Intelligence, but gain more experience.
Of course, this isn't a permanent solution, and Torres would eventually work his way back up to Intelligence, but it's a start. Afterward, it would be easier for the writers to integrate patrol officers back into the show, and that could all start with Torres. Plus, he needs an intriguing storyline that will stick when Chicago PD returns with new episodes in season 11.
3 Recurring Patrol Officers That Rotate In & Out
Trudy Platt shoots down a request from Atwater and Burgess in Chicago PD
Instead of having main characters serve as patrol officers in Chicago PD, the writers could always include a supporting cast of rotating patrol cops. Multiple other procedural shows feature recurring background characters who occasionally interact with the main cast, so it wouldn't be unthinkable for the NBC series to do the same. This would also give Platt a bigger role in the show, which she wholeheartedly deserves.
It could be fun to see some fresh faces at the 21st District in season 11. As time goes on, they become familiar, and fans look forward to seeing them and their dynamics with the Intelligence Unit. It might be a lot to ask of Chicago PD to hire a handful of supporting cast members to fill the glaring patrol hole in the show, but it might be the much-needed push the series needs to return to its roots.
2 Demote A Veteran Intelligence Unit Member To Patrol
Kim Burgess comforting Adam Ruzek in Chicago PD
If NBC and the Chicago PD producers aren't looking to take on any more cast members in season 11, they could always find a way to demote one of their veteran series regulars to patrol. If Ruzek survives, the choices would be him, Kim Burgess, Kevin Atwater, or Hailey Upton. Of course, Voight wouldn't be an option given his veteran status in the Intelligence Unit, as it just wouldn't make sense for him to work patrol given that position.
This wouldn't be the first time a member of Intelligence got bumped down to patrol. In season 1, Alvin Olinsky demoted Ruzek to patrol duty when he became a little too reckless on the job, and he eventually worked his way back up to rejoin Voight's team. Perhaps when season 11 premieres, one of the four candidates makes a grave mistake while on the job, and Voight has no other choice but to demote them to patrol. This would present its own challenges, as the writers would have to do it in a way that feels new, while also paying tribute to the legacy of the earlier seasons. But no matter what, a demotion would be shocking and spruce up Chicago PD.
1 A Shortage Forces Intelligence To Work Patrol In Chicago PD Season 11
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Finally, if the Chicago PD writers don't want their main characters to work patrol as a means of punishment, they could always demote them because it was a necessity. When season 11 premieres, there could be a shortage of patrol officers, which forces Platt to negotiate with Voight for some of his cops. This would set up for some of the cast to be forced into working patrol while still assisting the Intelligence Unit - allowing for unique character arcs that connect into a larger overall storyline.
Whatever the case may be, the NBC procedural series needs to do something to remind fans why they fell in love with it in the first place. The perfect way to do that would be to bring back patrol officers, whether they are new characters or veteran Intelligence cops. Hopefully, whenever Chicago PD season 11 premieres, the patrol storylines come with it, creating a season that is reminiscent of the show's early days, but also shows how far it has come.
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