Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills Announces Retirement After Nearly 50 Years in Law Enforcement

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills has announced he will retire from law enforcement, with his final day with the department scheduled for September 5.

Mills joined the Palm Springs Police Department five years ago and spent nearly five decades serving in law enforcement. He says one of the things he will remember most about his time in the Coachella Valley is the community.

His first major event in Palm Springs was the Pride Parade in November 2021, where he says he immediately saw the connection between the police department and the people it serves.

Mills said his mission from the beginning was to take care of his officers, support the community, and build trust between the two.

During his time as chief, Mills highlighted several accomplishments, including efforts to reduce homelessness through a combination of enforcement and services provided through the city’s navigation center. The department also expanded its mental health response efforts, including a specialized team that helped more than 1,200 people experiencing crises last year.

Mills also helped guide the department through several challenging moments, including the death of a staff member after being struck by a vehicle, the May 17 bombing, the Festival of Lights Parade, officer-involved shootings, and other internal challenges.

Despite those difficult moments, Mills said he remains confident in the future of the department and the leaders prepared to take the next steps.

As he prepares to retire, Mills says the biggest lesson he hopes to leave behind is the importance of taking care of one another.

Mills plans to move north to be closer to his mother. He also says he will continue competing in pickleball at the highest level.