A man goes on a killing spree, but he has links to a prostitute that Benson encountered in an earlier investigation, so the FBI contacts SVU for information.
Holiday celebrations are interrupted when Detective Tutuola's ex-brother-in-law is arrested for attacking a priest; during the investigation, a church scandal is uncovered.
When a rape victim is arrested for murder in Suffolk County, Detective Benson questions the case and finds enough evidence for District Attorney Barba to charge a different suspect in Manhattan.
Frank worries when his first partner announces plans to publish a book containing stories of their early days on the force; Jamie and Eddie face choices that will affect their futures in the department and their relationship.
A mobster is found shot in his car and his low-level errand boy is tied up in the trunk; an NYPD officer asks for a new shield number -- the same number as Frank's deceased son Joe.
A respected, recently retired NYPD lieutenant is accused of shooting potential muggers on the subway; Baez and Danny try to arrest a drug dealer responsible for a murder Baez witnessed as a child.
Multiple women take credit for murdering the man they worked for; Frank and his priest clash over how to deal with a boy who has been stealing from the church; Nicky gets into trouble.
Erin struggles with guilt when a man she set free is suspected of killing a cop; Frank and Mayor Poole face off regarding Frank's reappointment as commissioner; a police officer disappears.
Linda asks Danny and Baez for help when a co-worker has trouble with an angry ex; Erin's former mentor, a judge, has been handing out unfair sentences since the death of his wife; Frank deals with an outspoken city council speaker (Whoopi Goldberg).
Frank and Danny try to help a rehabilitated ex-con when he becomes involved in the murder of an enemy; a prosecutor withholds the location of an alleged killer from Erin as she prepares for the trial.
While hunting for a gang of robbers, Baez teams up with a detective with whom she shares a romantic past; an officer acquitted of killing a young boy is up for a promotion.
When a witness in a murder trial flees out of fear of retaliation, Erin and Anthony must find him and convince him to testify; Garrett encourages Frank to attend the Police union party; Danny and Baez investigate a robbery at a convenience store.
Frank, the mayor, Erin and the DA's office deal with public outrage when a grand jury fails to indict an NYPD officer for the controversial shooting of a teen, which was caught on video.
Robert Lewis obtains new evidence against Danny in the shooting case of Thomas Wilder; Jamie and Eddie respond to a drunken driving accident involving a public figure; a slain police officer's wife asks Frank to keep her son out of the police force.