The 25th season of Law & Order opened with a notable change to its lineup. Detective Jalen Shaw, played by Mehcad Brooks, has officially left the franchise, leaving the 27th Precinct one detective short. His absence was confirmed in the season premiere on September 25.

In the episode, Lt. Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney) updates Detective Vincent Riley (Reid Scott) on Shaw’s departure. “Something opened up over at the 8-8, and he’s going to take it,” she explains, referencing the NYPD’s 88th Precinct. Riley responds, “I knew he wanted to get back to Brooklyn, so good for him,” adding with a smile, “I’m going to miss that guy.”

Shaw’s Journey on the Law & Order Universe

Detective Shaw first appeared on Law & Order: Organized Crime in 2022 during a crossover with the main series and SVU. At that time, he worked for the 32nd Precinct and helped investigate a homicide, noting that he was new to detective work after five years in narcotics. Prior to joining the force, Shaw had practiced law for three years after graduating from NYU before pivoting to the police academy.

Following the crossover, Shaw joined the 27th Precinct. He was initially partnered with Frank Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan) until Donovan left after Season 22. Riley later replaced Cosgrove as Shaw’s partner, and the team worked under Lt. Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim) until her departure after Season 23. Tierney now leads the precinct as lieutenant.

Why Did Mehcad Brooks Leave?

The exact reasons for Brooks’ exit remain unclear. His character replaced Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson), who returned to the franchise in 2022 after a 12-year hiatus but departed again after one season.

Brooks’ time on the show included memorable moments with SVU star Mariska Hargitay. He shared with TODAY in 2022 that he and Hargitay “hit it off” during a crossover shoot. Hargitay even reached out to Brooks’ brother, who is a devoted SVU fan, leaving a lasting impression on his family.

While fans will miss Detective Shaw, the show continues to evolve, weaving new storylines and characters into the long-running Law & Order universe.