Anita Van Buren

Lieutentant Anita Van Buren (played by S. Epatha Merkerson) is a fictional character on NBC's long running drama, Law & Order. She joined the cast in 1993 (Season 4 of the series), replacing Captain Don Cragen (played by Dann Florek). Van Buren transferred the 27th Precinct of the New York City Police Department to work homicide cases after a previous stint in narcotics. She has overseen the work of detectives such as Lennie Briscoe, Mike Logan, Rey Curtis, Ed Green, Joe Fontana, and Nick Falco since taking over at the 27th.

Related Topics:
S. Epatha Merkerson - NBC - Law & Order - 1993 - Don Cragen - Dann Florek - New York City Police Department - Homicide - Narcotics - Lennie Briscoe - Mike Logan - Rey Curtis - Ed Green

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Van Buren is married to the owner of a hardware store, and together they have two sons. Unlike Cragen, Van Buren operates in a less negative manner, stressing less the weak points of a particular investigation in favor of stressing possibilities and options for her subordinates to explore. Van Buren is known for her toughness and feisty attitude, but she has often paid a price for it. She once shot and killed a would-be mugger who attacked her at an ATM, who unfortunately turned out to be a mentally retarded teenager. She was investigated, and absolved, by the Bureau of Internal Affairs. Four years later, she nearly lost her job when she sued the NYPD for promoting a white woman with less seniority ahead of her. A judge eventually dismissed her discrimination suit.

Related Topics:
Hardware store - ATM - Mentally retarded - Bureau of Internal Affairs - Sued - Discrimination

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Van Buren learned in Season 12 that the case that led her to being promoted to lieutenant was sullied by a dishonest medical examiner's report. No action was taken against her, but it continues to haunt her.

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Van Buren's favorite poet is Langston Hughes.

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