Ice-T, who in the early '90s recorded the infamous track "Cop Killer" with his rock band, Body Count, has now inked a deal to play a cop on TV.

Less than two years after his previous small screen series, "Players," got the ax, Ice-T has landed a recurring role as a police detective on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" for the series' sophomore season.

For the series, a "Law & Order" spin-off that chronicles cases of the New York Police Department's sex crimes division, Ice will play Detective Odafin Tutuola, who will be partnered with Detective John Munch (played by Richard Belzer).

It's a great thing to be asked to be on board such a great show," Ice-T said in a statement announcing his participation in the series, which was nominated for a "TV Guide" Award for Favorite New Series after its inaugural season in 1999.

The part will actually be a return of sorts for Ice-T to the "Law & Order" franchise, as he had a small part as Seymour

"Kingston" Stockton in the 1998 "Law & Order" TV movie "Exiled.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is headed into pre-production for its second season, with new episodes introducing Ice-T's character scheduled to premiere as part of the fall 2000 season.

On a musical note, Ice-T will return to record stores this week with "Greatest Hits: The Evidence," a 16-song best-of compilation featuring such Ice classics as "Colors," "I'm Your Pusher," and "New Jack Hustler.