EXCLUSIVE: First day on the job for new Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills
It's the first day on the force in Palm Springs for new Chief of Police Andrew Mills.
News Channel 3’s Madison Weil sat down with Mills in his office to learn more about his goals for the department and city.
“Off the bat...first day...just tell me how you’re feeling and what today is going to entail,” said Weil.
“Well...what a fabulous reception the department has given me. They’ve been very gracious,” said Chief Mills.
Mills says his first week in office will include the standard onboarding protocols for the department.
Mills is the father of three daughters. He just moved here with his wife from Santa Cruz, where he served four years as police chief. Prior to that, he was the police chief in Eureka. He started his career in San Diego.
He says he’s grateful for the warm welcome in town. He took part in the Palm Springs pride parade over the weekend.
“A lot of people said hi...I got to take a couple selfies with the crowd...it was a great time,” he said.
Mills says one of his main goals as chief is to support positive relationships between officers and the people they serve.
“I do want to talk about the relationship with the community," said Weil. "That’s something that has been at the forefront of the media for a couple years now...the relationship between police and the community, particularly communities of color. How do you plan to address that here in the city?” she asked.
“Well I’m going to get out and talk to the various communities. Both the communities of color and the LGBTQ community. As well as all the residents that live here, as much as we possibly can. I’m a very visible person. I’ll be out and about walking downtown and in the neighborhoods,” said Mills.
Mills says he encourages the community to approach him with concerns.
“I want people to feel comfortable coming up to me telling me what their hopes, dreams and aspirations are for the city,” he said. “It’s my job to execute their vision.”
In his former job, Mills was hired to help move the department towards a culture of community policing and problem solving, while bringing greater transparency — something he plans to implement here as well.
“How important is it for people to know that it is an open conversation that you guys want to have...and if they have issues in the community...to reach out?” asked Weil.
“Well one of the things I’m gonna do is...I’m gonna have one day of the week where anybody can come in and talk to me about the issues they are seeing,” said Mills.
Chief Mills says he wants people to know the door is open — as is the conversation. He plans to lead the department with an open ear working to reduce crime in the city.
Related Story: The City of Palm Springs announces the next Chief of Police
The City of Palm Springs announced Mills' hire in October. He is expected to be officially sworn in at a city council meeting on November 18th.
Related Story: Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills to become new Palm Springs chief of police
