Over the 20 seasons the character has been featured on the show, Tutuola has come to respect and trust his SVU colleagues, even though they often disagree over the best way to solve cases. An example is his partnership with Munch, that over 13 years grew from icy dislike to mutual respect and good-natured banter, often about politics, as Munch is politically liberal and Tutuola is a Republican. After Munch is shot in the buttocks by a suspect during a trial, Tutuola surprises him in the hospital with his favorite fig milkshake. He and Benson are also close friends, and she relies on him as her "second-in-command" when she is promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and, ultimately, Captain.
