Kim Burgess' promotion in Chicago PD cast since the first season. While she was initially a patrol officer, Burgess was given a space in the Intelligence Unit after season 4. However, she did not try for a promotion until a detective role on the team finally opened up.
Episode 6 focused on whether Burgess would be successful in her quest to become a detective. If she got the promotion, she could serve as a replacement for Chicago PD's Hailey Upton, who exited at the end of season 11. However, it wasn't clear whether Burgess would get the promotion until the end of the episode, and a plot twist suggested that taking it might not be as straightforward as it seemed.
Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 6 Officially Promotes Kim Burgess
Burgess Became A Detective Working With The Intelligence Unit
Burgess spent most of Chicago PD's latest episode attempting to secure the promotion that she wanted. In addition to taking a written exam, she was required to shadow an established detective for a day and worked with Detective Suarez. However, it seemed doubtful that she would get the promotion because Suarez disapproved of most of Burgess' decisions. She was especially critical of Burgess' choice to chase a fleeing suspect, telling her that she should leave that to Patrol to handle. She ultimately told Burgess she thought she was "a patrol officer in a detective's body."
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Suarez's final recommendation was for Burgess to work in Area Central. Reid seemed resentful of Burgess' relationship with Voight, saying that she should train elsewhere so that she didn't get the benefit of his protection. This would have taken her away from the Intelligence Unit, which Ruzek didn't like. However, Burgess was willing to do it because she didn't want to compromise her values for a job title. Despite Burgess' decision, she was promoted to detective in Intelligence, as Reid decided to assign her there. Unfortunately, this promotion may come with strings attached.
Why Kim Burgess' Promotion May Not Be All That Good
She May Be Beholden to Reid In Ways She Doesn't Realize
On the surface, this promotion is good news. It will allow Burgess to realize her dream of becoming a detective in Chicago PD while keeping her with the Intelligence Unit. However, Reid's insistence on overriding Suarez's recommendation to assign Burgess to Intelligence should raise red flags, considering how much power he has in the Chicago police department. It's especially concerning, since Suarez warned her that there were "politics behind the badge" in this case.
It seemed that Reid wanted to play Burgess and Suarez against each other or saw some other use for Burgess to achieve his political goals.
Throughout the episode, Suarez faced pressure from Reid to close the case she and Burgess were working on quickly. She told Burgess that they had to use whatever method was at their disposal to get it done, as other detectives had already been fired over this case. Additionally, Reid took a special interest in Burgess while warning Suarez that they had to hurry up and close the case. It seemed that Reid wanted to play Burgess and Suarez against each other or saw some other use for Burgess to achieve his political goals.
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Additionally, Voight warned Burgess that the promotion "didn't come for free," meaning she would now owe Reid a favor. While it isn't clear what that favor might entail, Reid could expect her to report Voight's actions to him or otherwise sabotage the unit, which would put her in a difficult position. Since Burgess was adamant about not compromising her values for the job after receiving Suarez's evaluation, she may be uncomfortable with whatever it is that Reid expects her to do in return for the assignment. This could prompt her to resign in protest.
Is Kim Burgess Leaving Intelligence In Chicago PD Season 12?
She Considered Taking A Job With Another Unit
Burgess has been part of Chicago PD for 10 years, so it's understandable that there has been widespread speculation about whether she is leaving — especially after she was missing during the first two episodes of season 12. However, Marina Squerciati confirmed in a TV Insider interview that she was not leaving Intelligence or the show, explaining that Burgess "still has a lot of story to tell" after becoming a detective. Therefore, it seems she'll remain with the unit for the foreseeable future.
This story should fulfill Squerciati's claim that there is a lot more story to come for her character as the season progresses.
Chicago PD presented Burgess with a new challenge by promoting her to detective, but it attached strings to the promotion. She will likely be caught between what Reid wants from her and her loyalty to Voight throughout the season — and maybe into Chicago PD season 13. This story should confirm Squerciati's claim that there is a lot more to come for her character as the current season of Chicago PD progresses.
Source: TV Insider
Chicago P.D.
- Release Date
- January 8, 2014
- Network
- NBC
- Showrunner
- Dick Wolf
Cast
Jason Beghe
Marina Squerciati
WHERE TO WATCH
A spinoff of Chicago Fire, this police procedural drama follows the detectives and the uniformed patrol officers of the Chicago Police Department as they work to crack cases and put criminals behind bars.
- Directors
- Dick Wolf
- Writers
- Dick Wolf
- Seasons
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
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