Self Defense is an episode of the of the American police drama television series . It originally aired on
NBC on April 9, 1999. The episode was directed by
Barbara Kopple and written by cast member
Yaphet Kotto, who also plays Lt.
Al Giardello. The episode is significant in story arcs regarding the romance between detectives
Laura Ballard and
Paul Falsone and Lt. Giardello's continued difficulties in his attempts to get promoted to a captaincy.