Police Inspector Lestrade (first name unknown) of the Scotland Yard is the most frequently appearing officer of the law in the stories about Sherlock Holmes. Although the films depict him as a clumsy fool, in the written stories he is described as a fast and efficient professional (he tends to go for the simple and direct solutions and often mocks Holmes when he suggests something implausible). Holmes appreciates his qualities but have occasionally referred to him as 'that imbecile Lestrade'.

Together with his rival Tobias Gregson he is the best the Yard has to offer (for what it's worth).