Ethan Slaughter is a detective with the NYPD Gang Task Force who has teamed up with Richard Castle on occasion. Slaughter is often not that much liked by other cops as he has very crude methods of finding the criminal, frequently by physically abusing contacts or suspects. He is given a wide berth as he is annoying and obnoxious; he also makes the worst partner, as he doesn't see the need for backup, nor to protect those with him.