Is undeniably all Casting Directors first thought when they need a "Chicago" type role or Cop role filled. His second job according to IMDB was in a TV Show that was short lived. It was set in Chicago! Since he "has" a Chicago accent it would be the first thought for any casting agent. He has been typecast ever since. Also he has played a Chicago Cop more than any other actor not in a regular reoccurring role. This includes his fourth role and most best known in Risky Business starring Tom Cruise. (1983)
Other notable Cop roles in the best known "The Fugitive with Harrison Ford And Tommy Lee Jones, The Package With Jones again and Gene Hackman, an episode of the popular T.J. Hooker with William Shatner, Also a series regular on Crime Story with "the other Chicago type" Dennis Farina who himself is a real Chicago Cop (retired). Other notable cop roles came in the, TV Movie and Series Angel Street, A retired Chicago cop in TV Series Early Edition, Another TV Series Special Unit , plus are other roles too numerous to mention.
All in all he has played a Chicago Cop in 5 contiguous Decades. (1979-2012 as of 4/2016) Of curiosity, while Dennis Farina did play a Cop in, 'Law and Order SVU' in New York, oddly in Dean's visit to the New York Cop show, "NYPD Blue". He did not play a cop in his reoccurring role!.
