Patrick Darnell is the commanding officer of the 37th precinct. He is unaware that several of his officers are part of a criminal police gang called The Brotherhood and is also unaware that Stabler was undercover infiltrating his ring.
History[]
Darnell is not well liked by the officers in the 37th precinct due to his incredibly short and fiery temper. When Stabler transferred to the 37th precinct to infiltrate The Brotherhood in an undercover operation which Darnell and the officers in the 37th precinct didn't know about, Darnell rudely told Stabler that he didn't want him in his precinct and immediately placed him on desk duty, telling him to be on his best behavior.
When Stabler goes onto the field, Darnell is furious and angrily expresses his rage to Stabler about doing work in the community and told him he was going to have him terminated for not following the rules. As Darnell walked away, all the officers of the 37th preinct present applauded Stabler for going against Darnell's orders. He later approaches Stabler and tells him that he couldn't fire him and that he was to return Stabler's gun to him. He then tells Stabler that he must have friends in high places to be able to keep his job but warned him that they were the wrong kind of friends. (OC: "Guns & Roses")