A careerist, Burrell believes in the Baltimore Police Department's chain of command and stores knowledge of corrupt activities by his subordinates to maintain his authority.

Throughout the series, he struggles to direct the BPD to adequately reduce crime levels and constantly feuds with the city's politicians, some of whom blame him for the department's problems.

He orders premature seizure raids that tip off the Barksdale Organization to the detail's efforts and prompts them to change their operating structure, hindering further investigation.

The shooting prompts more involvement from Frazier who, along with Burrell, tries to project the image of a strong department to the public by seizing a large amount of narcotics.

In retaliation for the shooting, Burrell insists that Daniels' detail raid the Barksdales' main stash house, an act which causes them to stop using payphones — effectively nullifying the wiretaps.

With the support of Mayor Clarence Royce and most of the city's African-American political leaders, Burrell's appointment to Commissioner is made a certainty.

As acting Commissioner, Burrell finds his actions hampered by the actions of key politicians at the mayor's office including mayor Royce and his chief political advisor who use Burrell as a scapegoat for failing to meet unrealistic expectations and being heavily criticized for orders he has successfully carried out often at their behest, mainly by Royce.

Burrell faces problems with councilman Tommy Carcetti, the head of the public safety subcommittee, and criticism of the BPD's failure to reduce crime statistics.

Meanwhile, Burrell and Rawls preside over weekly COMSTAT meetings where they pressure BPD district commanders to return the favorable crime rate figures that Royce demands.

Colvin responds by allowing drug dealing to continue unchecked in specific areas, causing the felony rate to drop, and conceals his strategy from his superiors, who suspect his statistics.

Upon learning the truth, Burrell forces Colvin to take his vacation time immediately and informs Royce of the sanctioned drug dealing zones.

Knowing that Carcetti and Tony Gray are potential mayoral candidates, he plans to leak the story, place political pressure on Royce, finally dismantle the free zones and exploit the situation simultaneously.

Aided by Internal Investigations Division commander Major Bobby Reed, he also demotes Colvin to Lieutenant and forces him to retire early.

Elsewhere, Daniels' Major Crimes Unit arrests Avon Barksdale just as the Colvin scandal hits, allowing Burrell to further divert media attention.

When the change in investigators is leaked to the press, Royce reprimands Burrell and implies to Rawls that he will be made Commissioner after the Mayor wins the Democratic primary.

[2][3] Burrell proves himself a valuable political aide to Carcetti in handling racial profiling allegations against Herc, tricked by Bubbles into stopping a car driven by a black minister.

More than a year into Carcetti's term, Burrell is forced to deal with massive budget cuts despite the Mayor's pledge to improve funding for the BPD.

[8][9] Burrell plans to expose Daniels' alleged corruption, but city council president Nerese Campbell talks him into leaving quietly by promising him a lucrative replacement position.

In a rare humanizing moment when facing his departure, Burrell reveals his bitterness at having to accommodate interference and policy-making from City Hall throughout his career.