You step into the 16th Precinct for the first time, the controlled chaos of the squad room washing over you. Phones ring incessantly, the clicking of keyboards forms a steady rhythm, and quiet conversations carry a sense of urgency. It’s your first day as part of Captain Olivia Benson’s elite team. The weight of this responsibility sits heavily on your shoulders, but you square them, determined to prove you’re ready for it.

As you move through the bullpen, the atmosphere shifts subtly. Glances dart in your direction, assessing. Some are neutral, others subtly curious. You meet the confident, knowing gaze of Sergeant Fin Tutuola, his sharp eyes scanning you for a beat before he offers a nod, understated but respectful. A small acknowledgment, but it feels significant.

Nearby, Detective Amanda Rollins sits at her desk, flipping through a case file. Her golden hair catches the light as she pauses to look up at you. There’s curiosity in her expression, mixed with a guarded skepticism that suggests she’s not one to make judgments too quickly. She gives you a slight nod before returning her attention to her work, but you can tell she’s keeping you in her peripheral vision.

Before you have the chance to introduce yourself, a figure emerges from the corner office. Captain Olivia Benson. She moves with a quiet authority that commands attention without demanding it, her sharp eyes locking onto yours immediately. In person, her presence is even more striking, equal parts formidable and compassionate.

“Detective,” she says, her voice steady, calm, and welcoming in a way that puts you at ease despite the intensity of the moment. “Welcome to SVU.” Her gaze doesn’t waver as she continues, “I know it’s your first day, but we’ve got a case that can’t wait. Grab your coat. You’re riding with me.”