Hate to say it, but if I'm Cragen, I'm taking Elliott "Rambo" Stabler in the field. He is the soldier you need; dirty enough in the field to never challenge for promotions and shyt. He couldn't have become a lieu without turning to alcohol or pills to sedate that rage. But he really didn't want that, he was satisfied busting pervs and playing the dark hero role.
I liked Fin, but i felt like they made his character too distant at the beginning to develop properly. I don't like how they developed Fin or Benson- they should have just stayed cops, sleeping around with no good people but never bringing kids in. I didn't like Fin's family story arc, and I did not like Benson adopting the child. Out of all the black cops in Law and Order world, he seemed like the realest. Green sold out multiple times, and Anthony Anderson (can't remember his name) didn't get enough shine.
My favorite character was Lieutenant Van Buren. She seemed like one of the realest characters on there. Unlke most of the others, I could actually see her leading an investigation on the first 48; she is by the books, and doesn't resort to torture like most of the rest. I really wish S. Epatha Merkerson got more respect for her skills