Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills and his wife, Cathy Mills, have received The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s inaugural Allies Award, honoring the couple’s support of the local LGBTQ+ community as they prepare to leave Palm Springs following Mills’ retirement.
The Center’s CEO, Mike Thompson, presented the award to the Mills on Wednesday at The Center’s McDonald/Wright Building in Palm Springs. The new honor recognizes the couple’s work supporting The Center and the broader LGBTQ+ community since Chief Mills arrived in Palm Springs in 2021, including their role as co-chairs of The Center’s Center Stage gala in October 2025.
During his tenure, Mills built a reputation for a community-centered approach to policing, and he and Cathy became regular, visible presences at local organizations and causes throughout the city.
“Andy and Cathy Mills exemplify the very best of allyship,” Thompson said in presenting the award. “Through Andy’s leadership as Chief of Police and their shared commitment to showing up for our community, they have helped build trust, foster belonging, and strengthen the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the Palm Springs Police Department. They don’t simply support our community—they stand with us.”
Thompson added that The Center was honored to name the Mills its first Allies Award recipients and wished them well as they “begin their next chapter.”
Chief Mills announced earlier this month that he will retire on September 5. He and Cathy plan to relocate to the Sacramento area to be closer to his mother. In a Facebook post, Mills described his time leading the Palm Springs Police Department as “the crown jewel of an amazing career.”
Speaking Wednesday, Mills reflected on the relationship he and Cathy built with the city’s LGBTQ+ community, saying the support they gave over the years was returned many times over by residents who expressed their appreciation for the couple.
Mills also said he’s confident the department will continue prioritizing its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community after his departure.
“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will continue the mission,” Mills said.
He added, “We truly love this community. It was tough for us to say, ‘Now’s the time.'”