Who does Shawn Hatosy play in Chicago P.D.? All about Deputy Chief Charlie Reid

If you’re a Chicago P.D. fan, chances are you’ve seen a new face stirring the pot this season. It's someone who walks into a scene and instantly makes things ten times more complicated.

That guy is Deputy Chief Charlie Reid, played by Shawn Hatosy. Yep, the same guy you might recognize from Animal Kingdom or Southland — and in Chicago P.D., he’s not here to just play nice. Hatosy steps in as Reid, a powerful cop who doesn’t exactly follow the rulebook — but doesn’t burn it either.

He’s one of those characters who plays the long game. At first, he seems like a helpful higher-up — he talks smooth, lends support, even shows empathy. But it’s not long before you start asking: wait, what’s this guy really after?

So, who is Deputy Chief Reid? And what makes him such a major presence in Chicago P.D. Season 12? Let’s break it down and get to know this morally complicated power player — and the actor bringing him to life.

Who is Deputy Chief Charlie Reid in Chicago P.D.?

Deputy Chief Charlie Reid is introduced in Season 12 of Chicago P.D. as a high-ranking official from the Bureau of Organized Crime. His job is to keep an eye on the Intelligence Unit — but not in the “Hey, I’ve got your back” kind of way. He’s more of the “I’m watching everything you do, and I might use it later” type.

Right from the start, Reid is hard to read. He offers help after a tragedy, gives Voight and his team backup, and even seems to care about the job. But there’s something just… off — you can sense that there’s more going on behind the scenes.

He’s polite, sure. But he also has a way of delivering a favor that feels like a warning in disguise. And yep, your gut’s not wrong — Reid turns out to be a corrupt player, involved in backdoor deals, gang negotiations, and even a few violent cover-ups.

It’s not just a little moral flexibility — the guy is tangled deep in dirty politics.

Shawn Hatosy: A perfect fit for the role

Shawn Hatosy isn’t new to playing edgy, layered characters. He’s known for his roles in shows like Animal Kingdom and Southland, where he often plays flawed men who live in grey areas. And that’s exactly what he brings to the table in Chicago P.D.

As Reid, Hatosy blends charm and danger in a way that keeps both the characters and the audience on edge. One minute he’s comforting a grieving officer, and the next he’s blackmailing someone over their darkest secrets.

There’s a calm to him that somehow makes him even more threatening. He doesn’t need to raise his voice. The way he talks — calculated, controlled… it’s like he’s always ten steps ahead.

Chicago P.D.’s producers knew what they were doing when they cast him. Reid isn’t a one-note villain; he’s the kind of character that makes you second-guess your own opinion. You hate what he does, but you still want to see more of him.

Key moments that defined Reid

Here are a few standout moments that really gave us a sense of who Charlie Reid is:

• His first meeting with Voight: He walks in, all business, and yet there’s this underlying tone. He’s not just there to support — he’s there to observe, control, and influence.
• The Torres blackmail: Reid finds out about Officer Torres’ misconduct involving a CI, but instead of punishing him, he offers a weird kind of friendship. That kind of move says a lot about how Reid operates — he doesn't want justice, he wants leverage.
• The ransom scenario: When a teammate is kidnapped, Reid steps in to help get the ransom money. Sounds noble, right? But even that moment feels transactional. There’s this feeling that nothing he does is ever without a hidden cost.
• Facilitating a deadly cover-up: Yupp, it gets dark - Reid plays a role in the killing of a confidential informant. He doesn’t pull the trigger, but he knows how to let it happen without getting his hands dirty. And when it does… he doesn’t flinch.

These moments aren’t just plot points; they build a character who’s as compelling as he is dangerous.

Reid vs. Voight: The showdown we didn’t know we needed

One of the most fascinating parts of Reid’s arc in Chicago P.D. is how he challenges Voight — not with fists or threats, but with manipulation and quiet power. If Voight represents old-school, street-level justice, Reid is the political version: clean suit, dirty hands.

It’s not just a clash of methods — it’s a battle of philosophies. Reid believes he’s protecting the city through strategy, even if that means bending laws and breaking trust. Voight, for all his flaws, still fights from the heart — even when the law isn’t on his side.

Their dynamic feels like a chess match. And eventually, it ends with a checkmate — just not the one you expect.

Reid’s exit: A dramatic end

In true Chicago P.D. fashion, things don’t end well for Charlie Reid. In the Season 12 finale, he’s killed by a teenager named Renny Otero, the son of someone Reid had indirectly gotten killed.

What’s wild is that Voight subtly paves the way — he doesn’t do the killing himself, but he makes sure Renny knows exactly where Reid will be. It’s one of those “You didn’t pull the trigger, but you handed over the map” moments. Also, Reid’s final words — “You’re worse than me” — hit pretty hard!

It’s a poetic, brutal end to a character who operated in shadows and secrets. And it also leaves us with a big question: did Voight do the right thing, or did he just become another version of the man he took down?

Why Reid was a game-changer

Charlie Reid wasn’t just another bad cop — he forced us, and the team, to look inward. His presence made everyone question their limits. Would they turn a blind eye? Would they stand up? And at what cost?

For Chicago P.D. fans, he brought tension, unpredictability, and some of the season’s best scenes. Love him or hate him, you felt something when Reid was on screen — and that’s what makes a great character.

Deputy Chief Charlie Reid didn’t stick around long, but he sure made an impression. With Shawn Hatosy’s sharp performance, Reid added a whole new layer of conflict and drama to Chicago P.D. He may be gone, but the ripple effect of his actions… is just beginning!