Chicago PD Season 12 Finale Highlights How Difficult It Is For Voight To Change

The Chicago P.D. season 12 finale saw Sergeant Hank Voight and his disbanded Intelligence unit trying to take down Deputy Chief Reid and salvage their team from ruin.

While the unit desperately tries to find evidence that can have Reid prosecuted, Voight is forced to take extreme measures, proving that his above-the-law tactics are still needed to tackle challenging enemies like Reid. This negatively affects Voight's potential romance with Chapman, who has pushed Voight to stay away from his old habits and not keep everyone in the dark.

The Chicago P.D. season 12, episode 22, finale, "Vows," pushes Voight to the limit because, no matter how hard he tries to use teamwork and by-the-book police work to defeat a powerful and resourceful nemesis like Reid, the Sergeant always reverts to his extreme ways to protect the careers of his teammates. Voight's takedown of Reid will heavily impact the Sergeant and his unit moving forward, since there may be other corrupt police officers like Reid who have various connections with criminals.

Voight Mellowed In Recent Chicago PD Years Explained

The Sergeant Wasn't As Aggressive After Several Departures From The Show

During earlier seasons of Chicago P.D., Voight didn't hesitate when using extreme force and torture while interrogating criminals and suspects. He would be assisted by officers like Antonio Dawson and Alvin Olinsky, particularly when it came to personal cases, including taking down the murderer of Hank's son, the gang that kidnapped Dawson's son, and the arsonist responsible for the death of Al's daughter. Voight, like Dawson and Olinsky, is a police officer committed to protecting his unit and the citizens of Chicago by any means necessary.

Voight's extreme trajectory continued in his working relationships with officers Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, which involved disposing of evidence after killing criminals like drug and human trafficker Roy Walton. However, in recent seasons, along with the departures of Halstead and Upton, Voight has toned down his violent interrogation methods and solo tactics so he can be more open with his unit, and no one gets into trouble. Chapman and Kim Burgess were especially adamant with Voight about being kept in the loop regarding Reid and his nefarious activities with criminals and corrupt officers.

Torres, Atwater, and Cook have also been more vocal towards Voight about their working relationship. For instance, Torres is up to the challenge of surveilling Reid, Atwater tells his Sergeant that he is willing to lie for him, and Cook raises her concerns with Voight after he harshly interrogates a female CI connected to a jewelry store theft and murder. Voight understands that he has had to adapt to changing his tactics when leading his team because he doesn't want his colleagues' careers to be placed in jeopardy.

Why Reid Was Able To Bring Out Classic Voight In Chicago PD Season 12

Voight's Extreme Methods Were The Only Way To Defeat Reid

Despite Voight's efforts to stand up against Reid with help from Chapman and Intelligence, it was challenging for them to find hard evidence to prosecute him. Officers involved with Reid were also unwilling to talk as they were afraid of the Deputy Chief and his ability to go after anyone who crossed his path. The lack of options forces Voight to revert to his corrupt ways, which involve making a plea deal with Jesus Otero's son, who ultimately shoots and kills Reid to avenge the death of his father.

As Reid lies down, bleeding and dying from his wounds, he tells Voight, who pretends to be aiding him, that "you're worse than me." Reid always considered Voight his equal because both men are corrupt and have gone above the law in their respective ways. However, Reid intended to control criminals and the police for his benefit, while Voight used dangerous tactics to ensure the safety of his team and the people of Chicago. No matter how far Voight crosses the line in cases like Reid's, he places everyone above himself in his persistent act of self-righteousness.

What Voight's Actions Against Reid Mean For Chicago PD Season 13

Voight's Takedown Of Reid Shows That His Corrupt Side Is Always With Him

Voight's unlawful but successful takedown of Reid may have saved him and the Intelligence unit. However, there will surely be more complex cases in Chicago P.D. season 13 and the years to come regarding corrupt police officers or shady politicians who intend to challenge Voight and his team to get control of Chicago. Voight's actions against Reid also likely ended any potential romance and working relationship with Chapman. She is left saddened by the Sergeant's decision-making, telling him she knows him but believes there could be more.

Chapman cares about Voight and may still have feelings for him. But after Reid's death, Chapman knows that the corrupt side of Voight will always be a part of him, no matter how hard she and the Sergeant have tried to avoid and eliminate that side of his persona. Voight's extreme methods of police work are why he tells Chapman, "I don't get more," signifying it's difficult for him to change his character. Voight's loneliness is a result of his primary duties of leading his unit and ensuring the safety of Chicago.