Before coming to Miami, Tubbs was a detective in the Armed Robbery Division of the New York Police Department, along with his older brother Rafael who was a senior detective in the Narcotics Division. At various times during his stint in New York, Tubbs was partnered with detectives Valerie Gordon (Pam Grier) and Clarence Batisse (Victor Love) Tubbs and Gordon were romantically involved, and would sporadically resume their affair throughout the series. Tubbs' relationship with Batisse, however, was much more volatile—after a suspicious shooting during a routine bust, Tubbs' testimony to Internal Affairs resulted in Batisse's dismissal. Batisse would, however, eventually be exonerated thanks to Tubbs' aid.