Is Burgess leaving Intelligence in Chicago PD?

Burgess may have achieved her dream on Chicago PD, but does that mean she’s leaving Intelligence?

Caution: This article contains SPOILERS for Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 6

“Pawns” had Burgess finally working to take the exam to become a full detective, a goal she’s been working toward since Chicago PD began. As part of it, Burgess was given the lead in a murder case alongside veteran cop Detective Suarez.

At one point, the pair split up with Burgess attacked and fighting the guy off then covering for Suarez leaving her on her own. In the end, Burgess got promoted, with Suarez saying she was sending her back to Intelligence. She said while Burgess was a good cop, she still thought like a patrol officer and needed more street experience, which she wasn’t getting under Voight. 

Burgess was tempted to accept the offer to spend six months in the central area of Chicago despite the protests of Ruzek. However, Deputy Chief Reid told Burgess she was sticking with Intelligence, with Burgess happy, but Voight worried about the price Reid would have for this. 

What does this mean for Burgess in Chicago PD?

Speaking to TVLine, Marina Squerciati shared what the promotion means for Burgess going forward. 

"So far, it hasn’t really come to bear. It’s like when you get a promotion…you don’t want to be, like, bossy all of a sudden. So it’s treating it with kid gloves, but also inhabiting your power, I guess. Like, trying to be respectful of people and not seem like, “Well, now I’m here, and everyone’s listening to me,” but also know that, like, “OK, I’m a detective. I deserve this. I earned it.”"

Squerciati shared that she will play the role a bit differently, with Burgess showing a bit more authority but also the concerns on how she goes forward. That includes how Burgess’s experience with the Intelligence Unit and Voight is really more of a boon to her than Saurez thinks. 

"Like, what she considered her strengths, somebody sees as a weakness, and that’s always going to throw you…. It’s what, ultimately, Suarez thinks is going to be her downfall. I think that was a real eye-opener. And also, saying that Voight protects her from the dirt, from the scum, I think that’s really what hit her the most. Like, that she’s able to be the cop she is and still have, maybe, the heart that Suarez doesn’t have because of Voight."

As for Reid, Squerciati hinted that sooner or later, the man will ask some sort of price for letting Burgess stay in Intelligence. She also shared how Burgess and Ruzek are still planning their wedding even with Burgess now Adam’s superior officer. It will include a return of Adam's father which may cause some issues.

So Burgess is staying in Intelligence and a full detective yet the hints there may be a price to pay down the line as Chicago PD continues. 

Chicago PD Season 12 airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.