Chapter: Chicago Housing Authority Police Taking Every Risk

Rodney Craig Dukes was born in Chicago's Cook County and raised on the west and south sides of the city. He spent much of his youth in public housing at Ogden Courts and the Henry Horner Homes. Although his family migrated to the Gage Park area in the late '70s, he returned to patrol the same streets of his childhood as a police officer for the Chicago Housing Authority Police Department in the 1990's.

For the first class of CHAPD officers, unity was their strength. They stood shoulder to shoulder, facing every call and conflict with unwavering solidarity. When deployed into the unknown on foot patrol, they ventured into territories where CPD presence was minimal. Public Housing North, the notorious Cabrini Greens, and Public Housing South's Robert Taylor Homes were zones overlooked and purposely underserved by the CPD. Calls for service often went unanswered, leaving residents in distress.

Enter the second class of CHAPD officers. We bolstered the numbers, allowing our more experienced colleagues to implement learned tactics and focus on problem areas with greater precision.

What follows are glimpses into the odd and humorous incidents I recall from my time on patrol-encounters with individuals who left an indelible mark in my mind as well as on my heart. In sharing these stories, I aim to convey the human side of policing, filled with imperfections and moments of growth. For every flaw and misstep, there was a lesson learned, shaping me into the officer I became.

Wielding such power demands an inherent responsibility-one that many falter in upholding fairly and impartially. These are the stories of my time in service, colored by the complexities of law enforcement, the human condition, and the unyielding pursuit of justice.

Mr. Dukes is the best person to author this story because he lived through it and has the unique perspective of growing up as a resident of public housing and later serving the community as a law enforcement officer. This is his story of life and patrol in Chicago's public housing projects. CHAPTER - Chicago Housing Authority Police Taking Every Risk.