Anita Van Buren

From The Law & Order Wiki

Anita Van Buren



Rank Lieutenant
Affiliation New York City Police Department
Division Homicide Department
Precinct 27th Precinct


First Appearance L&O: "Sweeps"


Played by S. Epatha Merkerson

Lieutenant Anita Van Buren is the head of the 27th Precinct detective squad on Law & Order. She joined the show in 1993 along with Claire Kincaid and is the longest-running character on the show.

She once sued the NYPD after a white woman with less experience was promoted over her. Her lawsuit, which resulted in an increased workload upon her precinct in retaliation, was unsuccessful.

She assisted ADA Ron Carver in setting up a sting operation to arrest former acquaintance Terry Randolph for murder. (CI: Badge)

She attempted three times to have Mike Logan reassigned to her Precinct after he was sent to Staten Island. All were unsuccessful, and Logan eventually was assigned to the Major Case Squad. (CI: Stress Position, Diamond Dogs)