by Ashly-Nikkole Davis

I recently sat down with Carey Drayton, the man more affectionately known as “Chief” by USC students, faculty and staff. Between talks of New Orleans gumbo, Rawls’s theory of relative morality and childhood anecdotes, Drayton offers his thoughts on leadership gathered from a career in law enforcement that has spanned thirty years and both coasts of the United States.

The SeeSaw: Why campus law enforcement?

Chief Carey Drayton: God chose it for me, I didn’t choose it. That’s as honest of an answer I can give you. I started out as an electrical engineer. It’s like the saying – I was a Jack of all trades, master of none. I wound up in [campus law enforcement] because it was a way to make extra money. I’m a kid from New Orleans, my parents were lower middle class…I needed a way to support myself in school. And that’s how I did it – in this job. I can’t imagine doing anything different.

The SeeSaw: What do you like most about your job?

Drayton: I get to interact with people like you. I get to talk to people who may not know if school is right for them, and I can impart my knowledge to them. I’ve had people tell me that I’ve changed their impression of what law enforcement is supposed to be.

The SeeSaw: How do you inspire and motivate your staff?

Drayton: Somebody asked me that once in a big meeting. (smiles) If you want that, go to church because I can’t give that. That greater good feeling, I can’t do that because I ain’t God. What I can do is create a vision. I can coach you, I can train you, I can provide a strategy. I can read Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul to you, but I can’t confess to be that [motivational] person. I strive for vision and purpose and try to clearly define what that is so we can all work toward it together.

The SeeSaw: What is the hardest part about your job?

Dratyon: Dealing with the details of university processes – keeping track of receipts, budgeting. I like the big picture, grandiose planning. That’s why I want to be a consultant when I grow up. Details are the boring part.

The SeeSaw: Any advice for student leaders?

Drayton: I came up with this awhile back:

Courage
Attitude
Respect
Ethics
Yearning

Courage is a must. You need to have a great attitude – the positive kind. The kind where you walk in a room and people say, “I'm glad you’re here.” Respect is valued, it’s of the utmost importance. If you respect people, you don’t fall into stereotypes. Ethics are doing the right thing for the right reasons. If people were to do that, quite honestly I’d be out of a job. Yearning is for yearning to learn. That’s important. Always be willing to explore other options.

Drayton currently serves as Executive Director/Chief of Public Safety at the University of Southern California.