Lt. Louie Provenza is a cranky older cop who initially gives Brenda Leigh Johnson a hard time, but warms to her and particularly appreciates her toughness. He becomes one of her biggest defenders, in the manner of a junk yard dog. He and Lt. Andy Flynn, his best friend, have a habit of getting into shenanigans together and fouling up cases.As the oldest member of the squad, he is often threatened with forced retirement for budgetary reasons. He is a crusty curmudgeon who hates when people touch his stuff, but he still has sharp detective skills. He is especially protective of Detc. Julio Sanchez.Background: Provenza has been married four times, twice to the same woman, Heather. His fourth wife was Sharon. He has sworn he will never retire, in part because the divorce settlement with his first wife Liz says that he has to share his pension with her. He has several children and grandchildren, who call him Lieutenant (his first name wasn't revealed until season 5). He is politically incorrect and chauvinistic and has been sent to sensitivity training at least once. He is sensitive with victims, but always speaks his mind with suspects and doesn't suffer fools. He often names test dummies after his ex-wives before they are mutilated in the name of science. His former partner is George Andrews.