Lestrade is a fictional character from the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a detective inspector with the Scotland Yard and often collaborates with Sherlock Holmes on various cases. Lestrade is portrayed as competent but sometimes overshadowed by Holmes's exceptional deductive skills. Despite his limitations, Lestrade is a loyal ally to Holmes and provides a connection to the official police force. His character often represents the traditional detective, contrasting with Holmes's more unconventional methods. Lestrade's presence adds depth to the stories, highlighting the differences between formal police work and Holmes's unique approach to solving crimes.