Meet Sgt. Anna Gray “One of EPD Finest” 

Meet Sgt. Anna Gray is “One of Evansville’s Finest” 

JANUARY 19, 2023

Sgt. Anna Gray of the Evansville Police Department has always had a passion for working within her community. 

She started her career as a patrol officer and now serves as the public information officer at EPD. She also holds the position of secretary for the Evansville Police Foundation. 

Gray first knew she wanted to work as an officer after participating in the ride-along program as a student at Castle High School in her hometown of Newburgh, Indiana. Talking with deputies and experiencing hands-on training spiked her interest in policing. 

After working as a patrol officer for a few years, Gray transferred to the Crime Prevention Office and became a community police officer. This role allowed her to be directly involved with people by attending neighborhood association meetings and working within a community to prevent and solve issues. 

“You really get to know people on a first-name basis. You kind of become their community police officer,” said Gray. “I really like that personal connection.” 

To better serve and connect with her community, Gray went through crisis intervention training, a 40-hour course focused on mental health and how to aid individuals experiencing a crisis. She now co-teaches a mental health awareness course at South Western Indiana Law Enforcement Academy alongside mental health professionals. 

“Jail is not always the answer for someone who is going through some type of crisis,” said Gray. “Sometimes people need help, but they have not necessarily committed a crime.” 

Gray explained that officers had few resources to assist with mental health matters. The training has helped her and other officers be better equipped to help people and streamline the process of getting treatment for those in need. 

“People actually started calling in and requesting CIT officers,” said Gray. “And all it was was extra training on how to talk to people and their families—what to ask and how to be a little more empathetic and slow things down.” 

After her time spent as a CIT patrol officer Gray transferred to the Adult Investigations Unit as a detective in 2019. She investigated felony cases during her time at the unit. Despite moving on to her current position in May of 2021, cases she investigated while a detective have stayed on Gray’s mind. 

“Even though I have not been back there in a long time, some of my cases are just now going to trial,” said Gray. “I’m still tied to those cases, and the emotions still come back.” 

The experience she gained while working as a detective will help her for the rest of her career, said Gray. 

Gray has moved through many different levels of police work but has never lost her passion for connecting with her community. She now heads communication between the department and the media. She believes that to keep the Evansville community safe, it is important to share information when possible and explain why police departments may hold back information at times. “I want to talk to them like they are my friends and family even if I do not know them,” said Gray. 

The variety of experiences working with community members has helped Gray feel comfortable communicating candidly in her current position. 

She is also the secretary for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana Board. This is one more meaningful way she spends time connecting with her community. 

The program allows officers to have a “little” at a local school. They are able to have lunch with and spend time getting to know their little and other students in the class. 

“It was amazing how much I affected little kids just by going in to talk during their lunch break and recess,” said Gray. “Being a mentor even for a small amount of time has a big impact on kids.” 

She is proud that the Evansville Police Department takes time to be involved with the community.

“I have a passion for Evansville and our community,” said Gray. “If I am going to be telling people about safety issues and that Evansville is a safe place, I want to live here—live it, breathe it and be honest with people.”