Once a Bear, Always a Bear: Screenwriter and Alumnus Returns to Baylor for Screening of NBC's Drama "Chicago P.D."

February 18, 2014
derek haas

Derek Haas
(Courtesy photo)

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WACO, Texas (Feb. 18, 2014) - Co-creator of the NBC television drama "Chicago P.D." Derek Haas, BA '91, MA '95, will return to his alma mater for a screening of the first episode of the series' second season.
The event, sponsored by the department of communication in the Baylor College of Arts & Sciences, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.
"Chicago P.D." is based on the real Chicago Police Department and follows District 21 of the department. This district is made up of two distinct groups: the uniformed police and the Intelligence Unit.
"Not every police department has (an intelligence unit), but they have their own special room that uniformed cops can't go up to unless they're summoned up there," Haas said in an interview with NBC. "It's not your typical bullpen where there's just people walking in and out. This is their unit."
Unlike the real Chicago Police Department, "Chicago P.D." follows the officers as they go off shift. "We see what's going on with them, the trials and tribulations that you have to carry back to work with you," Haas said.
Haas graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor and Master of Arts in English literature. He is also the co-writer of "Wanted," "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "3:10 to Yuma," editor of PopcornFiction.com and author of many books including his newest, "The Right Hand."
"Alumni like Derek Haas and others bring a wealth of experience that our students can benefit from," said Christopher Hansen, associate professor and director of the film and digital media division in the department of communications. "His knowledge of the inner workings of the film and television industries is incredibly valuable. And his success is inspirational to them as well."
Attendants are encouraged to join in a question-and-answer session with Haas before the show begins. The event will be located in Room 101 of Marrs McLean Science Building, 1214 S. Fourth St.
by Rachel Miller, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University's oldest and largest academic division, consisting of 26 academic departments and 13 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. Faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines.