Louis C.K. played Dave Sanderson, the police officer who dated Leslie Knope in season two of “Parks and Recreation.”
Dave first appears in “The Stakeout,” the second-season episode in which Leslie and Dave’s relationship begins. His calm, socially awkward personality contrasts with Leslie’s intense enthusiasm, creating an intentionally understated romantic pairing. Louis C.K. appeared in several season-two episodes, including “Beauty Pageant,” “Practice Date,” and “Greg Pikitis.”
Dave was not a regular member of the Parks Department. He was a Pawnee police officer and Leslie’s early love interest after her relationship with Mark Brendanawicz. The character later returned in season four’s “Dave Returns,” when he was working as a police officer in San Diego and briefly revisited his relationship with Leslie.
A common mix-up is confusing Dave Sanderson with Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott. Ben becomes Leslie’s eventual husband, while Dave is an earlier boyfriend whose story is largely contained within season two. Another nearby fact: Dave’s full name is David Sanderson.