Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole Drayton serves as a Sergeant and Police Leader at the Cleveland Clinic Police Department in Cleveland, Ohio. She has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including 11 and a half years with the Housing Authority Police Department and 19 years with the Cleveland Clinic, where she currently runs two hospitals and supervises 21 officers. Drayton earned a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology, which has supported her leadership in a male-dominated field. She attributes her success to learning to control what she can control, taking accountability for her actions, and benefiting from mentorship to navigate leadership politics. Drayton is passionate about training and mentoring, teaching psychology at the college level, human relations, human trafficking, child abuse, and domestic violence in the police academy, and she emphasizes building up her team members so they can see their own potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to focusing on what I can control, taking accountability for my actions, and refusing to let others’ behavior dictate my own. Looking in the mirror before pointing fingers has been essential to my growth. Mentorship has also helped me navigate leadership politics while remaining grounded in my values.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
All from Mentors!
- “Closed mouths do not get fed.” Advocate for yourself and communicate your goals.
- “You cannot conquer what you do not confront.” Address challenges directly to move forward.
- “Being uncomfortable is how you stay comfortable.” Embrace discomfort to build confidence, adaptability, and long-term success.
Each reminds us to speak up, face challenges, and take ownership of our growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take time to explore the opportunities within law enforcement. Seek out women whose experiences resonate with yours and ask to shadow them. Research agencies, ask thoughtful questions, and speak with professionals from departments of different sizes to understand their cultures and opportunities. Use those perspectives to find a path that aligns with your values, strengths, and goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Law enforcement is often a demanding and thankless profession. Recruitment has declined, and some candidates enter the field without fully understanding its purpose or responsibilities. Officers also face greater risks in a society where empathy, integrity, and respect for others can seem increasingly scarce. Yet these challenges create an opportunity to recruit principled, service-minded leaders who can rebuild trust and positively influence the future of the profession.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being present and accounted for, strong work ethic, showing up when important, doing the right thing even when no one is looking, being there for my team and family. Family, job, and God are priorities.
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