Chicago PD: What is a ‘Police CR’? What does it mean?

Chicago PD delved into some intriguing concepts in its latest episode. The introduction of Borkowski (Tom Lipinksi) led to some positive results in terms of apprehending a group of criminals, but it also led to some questionable moral lines being crossed.

Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) was the most apprehensive when it came to the cop’s twisted sense of justice, which included beating suspects into submission and extracting info by any means necessary.

Something that was repeatedly mentioned throughout the episode was the “Police CR.” Torres and Borkowski discussed it ad nauseam, and it seemed to be a point of contention that could get both of them in trouble. What is it?

What is a CR in police terms?

A “Police CR” is an abbreviated way to refer to a “Police Chronological Record.” It’s a logbook that keeps track of every official act of police business that occurs during a case, which includes logging information and evidence, and interrogating suspects. It’s meant to safeguard civilians from cops who may feel the urge to go off book and take the law into their own hands.

Basically, if a police officer tinkers with the “Chronological Record”, then their entire case can be undone and they can be subject to punishment. This is how the term factors into the Chicago PD episode. Borkowski, in choosing to beat a particular suspect to a pulp, is breaking the rules of the “Police CR” and Torres is aware of this.

Watch One Chicago on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

Granted, in the end, Torres decides to keep what he knows under wraps, and allow Borkowski to do what he has to do to put criminals behind bars. It’s a sobering realization for the rookie cop, but one that Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) is able to justify through a more experienced, albeit cynical lens.

Borkowski is a character who couldn’t be more at odds with the IU’s attempt at doing things the right way, so it’ll be interesting to see how often he returns, and whether his tense interaction with Torres will come to a head down the line.

For the latest Chicago PD spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago PD category at One Chicago Center.