SVU Detective Devoted To Protecting Children

Detective Millie Gray enters an interrogation room, knowing that often she will sit across from criminals who have hurt and abused children. They have damaged little ones.

“You do it because you see the big picture,” Gray explained. “You want those charges filed. You’re doing it for the victim. You cannot let your emotions be a part of it because it’s not about how you feel about somebody.”

As a detective in the Special Victims Unit (SVU), Gray investigates sexual crimes against children, along with child abuse, custody violations, and parental kidnappings. She has served in this role for four years, and yet for the most part, the victims never realize she’s advocating for them. To protect children who have suffered trauma, forensic interviewers take the lead, talking with them. Gray will watch the interview as part of her overall investigation.

On average, Gray and her SVU detectives work about 1,000 cases a year. Research shows crimes against children are underreported.

“In one case, we received a report of a girl who was being sodomized, and she didn’t realize it was wrong until MOCSA came into the school and explained what is good touching and what is bad touching,” Gray said. “That’s when she realized it wasn’t okay. It was a family member responsible.”

The work is hard, but Gray is comfortable with it because she knows she’s protecting children. The bible college graduate who joined the Air Force Reserves at 32 and KCPD at 35 is getting job satisfaction out of this role.

“I wanted KCPD because there would be more opportunity for growth and different things to do instead of a smaller agency,” said Gray.

Report child abuse and learn about our Juvenile Section - www.kcpd.org/crime/victim-resources/juvenile-section/