Police Chief Andy Celebrates Retirement
Andy Ray began his law enforcement career in 1984 as an Auxiliary State Trooper. While attending the Polk Community College Law Enforcement Academy in 1987, he would work part time as an Accident Coder with the Florida Department of Transportation. He started with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in June, 1987 and worked up the ranks to the position of Captain. He holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Polk State College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University, and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Troy State University. He has also obtained numerous law enforcement and leadership certifications including the Florida State University Certified Public Manager program, Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police, and the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers’ Course, in which Andy was selected Class Vice President and Dean’s Scholar. He is an active member of the Polk County Police Chief’s Association where he was President for 2 years during COVID, the Florida Police Chief’s Association, and Auburndale Rotary Club.
Upon his retirement with twenty-five years of service with PCSO, Chief Ray would step into municipal police work with the Auburndale PD. Chief Ray began his employment with the Auburndale Police Department as the Deputy Chief in September 2012. During his tenure as Deputy Chief, he worked closely with Former Chief Chris Nelson in advancing accreditation standards, software updates, developing departmental policy, and played a lead role in the Department’s Hurricane Irma response and we find that experience so valuable today. Andy was promoted to the position of Police Chief in September of 2018 where he continued providing outstanding law enforcement services to our city residents and working so well with our various City departments and other agencies throughout Polk County.
Thank you, Chief Ray, for your dedication to the City of Auburndale and its residents. Through your steadfast leadership you have improved upon our professional police service and leave our department a better place than when you arrived.
