With Chicago P.D. Season 12 underway, major changes are looming for the Intelligence Unit, especially following the departure of key characters like Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton.
This shake-up has left fans wondering who might step up to fill the leadership gaps in the team. Two of the show’s veteran actors, Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek) and LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater), recently hinted that promotions might be on the horizon.
Both Flueger and Hawkins have portrayed officers who have been integral to the Intelligence Unit’s success over the years. As Intelligence handles increasingly complex cases, especially after a high-stakes drug bust, the potential for Ruzek and Atwater to move up in the ranks seems more likely than ever. Showrunner Gwen Sigan has confirmed that the writers have been playing with the idea of promoting these long-standing characters to detectives, acknowledging that their contributions to the team merit such recognition.
With Halstead gone, Ruzek and Atwater will be taking on more responsibilities, which could lead to a long-awaited promotion. Not only will this shake up the team dynamics, but it will also allow fans to see new sides of these characters as they take on leadership roles in a squad that is used to operating under the tough yet steady command of Voight.
As Season 12 unfolds, viewers can expect some intense cases, with both Flueger and Hawkins’ characters likely stepping into more prominent roles. Whether or not the badge upgrades actually happen, the shift in team dynamics promises fresh challenges for the Intelligence Unit, keeping the audience on edge as promotions hover over the squad.
