Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills has announced he will retire at the beginning of September.
In a statement on social media, Mills said he had notified the city manager he planned to retire on Sept. 5, capping a 48-year career in law enforcement.
“Palm Springs is the crown jewel of an amazing career,” he wrote. “I cannot adequately express what an honor it has been to lead the men and women of policing and serve this amazing community.”
Before coming to Palm Springs, Mills led the Santa Cruz Police Department for around four years. After being hired in 2021, he became a popular figure in Palm Springs. He and his wife, Cathy, made frequent appearances at a variety of social events, ingratiating themselves with the community.
“Cathy has been my partner through each struggle, crisis, and victory,” Mills wrote. “She retires too.”
In his retirement letter, Mills called his nearly 50 years of government service a difficult but rewarding experience. He started his career in 1983 as a patrol officer with the San Diego Police Department before working his way up to the position of commanding officer in 2011.
With his retirement, Palm Springs loses an experienced law enforcement leader who saw the city through some recent challenges.
“We are grateful for Chief Andy Mills’ dedicated service and compassionate leadership, which has been a tremendous asset to the Palm Springs Police Department and the community overall,” Naomi Soto said a statement. “His commitment has left the department stronger, and we wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement.”
As police chief, Mills oversaw the city’s response to the 2025 bombing of the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic. The bombing was one of the most serious law enforcement incidents in the history of Palm Springs, causing upwards of millions of dollars of damage to nearby businesses, injuring four people and killing the perpetrator.
Mills was also the chief when a Palm Springs motorcycle officer lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the crowd during the 2024 Festival of Lights Christmas parade. Following the incident, Mills pledged to reform the department and release an incident report.
In retiring, he said the department is ready to move forward with a new leader.
“They are committed to supporting and serving a wonderful community that cares about people, supports one another and wants great public safety,” he wrote.
He said he plans to move to the Sacramento area to support his mother.
City Manager Scott Stiles plans to begin an internal recruitment process to find Mill’s replacement, Palm Springs spokesperson Amy Blaisdell said in an email.
“We are fortunate that he has assembled a talented team of executive officers who are well-positioned to continue the outstanding momentum of the department,” she said.
As part of the replacement process, the city plans to seek community input to determine which qualities residents hope to see in the next police chief.
(This story was updated to add more information.)
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills announces retirement
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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By Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
