The central character of producer Dick Wolf’s current NBC television crime drama Chicago PD is rogue cop Sgt. Hank Voight who heads the intelligence division of his precinct. Voight is loyal to his fellow officers as well as compassionate for the victims of the crimes he investigates. Voight is guided by a strong sense of right, and he gets frustrated when loopholes in the legal system obstruct his ability to deliver what he believes is justice. In those times, Voight will use any means necessary including intimidation and torture to achieve his goals. Through Voight’s portrayal, the program conveys a political agenda and asserts that the legal system, whether overworked or biased in favor of the accused, is incapable of providing justice. By taking matters into his own hands, Voight succeeds, and because his methods yield positive outcomes, the viewer is encouraged to agree with his tactics and overlook that they are illegal and have violated the rights of the accused. Therefore, this paper seeks to examine how Chicago PD positions the audience to view the police and their procedures. Ultimately, the paper will demonstrate how Chicago PD conveys ideologically that the legal system has failed and until it is changed, the only way people can expect justice is through the rogue actions of cops like Hank Voight.
About the presenterMichael Moeder
Michael Moeder is an assistant professor in the Communication Department at Salisbury University. He is a member of the Media Studies track and teaches courses in mass media analysis and writing. Moeder received his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Missouri and his dissertation examined the narrative structure of the television sitcom. In regard to research, Moeder is interested in the way entertainment programming shapes viewers’ values and attitudes.