Police Chief Clayton Harris To Retire After 30 Years at Tri-C

Harris oversaw major accomplishments for law enforcement training and Campus Police

CLEVELAND — The chief of police at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will conclude his tenure as one of the longest-serving police chiefs in Ohio. Chief Clayton Harris announced that he will retire after three decades at the College.

In his 30 years of public service, Harris oversaw major advancements for Tri-C Campus Police and law enforcement training programs that left an indelible impact on countless people.

Harris will step down on Oct. 17.

"From the first day I put on a uniform — whether as a young policeman on bike patrol, a firefighter answering alarms or, later, as a leader guiding law enforcement — I have carried one mission in my heart: to serve and to save lives," Harris said. "For 46 years, I have been blessed to use my God-given talents to protect communities, train future generations and command police officers, fire, EMT, corrections, dispatch and public safety drone academies."

Eastern Campus President Todd Kitchen, Ed.D., will serve as interim chief of police while the College searches for a successor. A U.S. Army veteran, Kitchen will work with sworn peace officers and public safety personnel to continue advancing the work of the Campus Police and Security Services department.

Harris has transformed policing and law enforcement training since becoming the College's chief of police in 1995 and later serving as the vice president and dean of Public Safety and Criminal Justice. He further strengthened Tri-C's standing as a leader in law enforcement training through significant infrastructure projects — the launch of the KeyBank Public Safety Training Center at the Western Campus in 2014 and the construction of the adjacent Simulated Scenario Village in 2019, which gives cadets and police agencies a realistic urban environment for hands-on training.

Harris also oversaw the expansion of public safety training and programs, from launching R.A.D. self-defense training for women and youth engagement academies to installing grant-funded naloxone (Narcan) cabinets throughout Tri-C campuses.

In addition, he spearheaded initiatives that helped modernize the operations of Tri-C Campus Police, including the use of body-worn cameras, centralized 24/7 dispatch, advanced emergency communications and Clery compliance systems.

"Chief Harris has been an indispensable leader and public safety advocate for decades," said Tri-C President Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D. "While we are happy for him and wish him the best in retirement, he leaves massive shoes to fill."

Harris' commitment to the continuous improvement of policing and public safety at Tri-C has garnered numerous awards and recognition for both himself and the College. He has guided Tri-C Campus Police through four successful Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Law Enforcement Accreditation (Tier 1) awards between 2012 and 2022. Tri-C became the only community college police department in Ohio to hold Tier 1 CALEA status among 87 agencies. He also secured Ohio Collaborative recertifications, reinforcing Tri-C's position as a model of accountability and professionalism.

Harris is a past president of the Cuyahoga Police Chiefs Association, a past board member of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and a board member of Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers. He has held key statewide leadership roles, including vice chair of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and was a longtime member of the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee.

In addition to his work in law enforcement, Harris is an accomplished songwriter, musician, producer and performer who has played with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra and performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a Cleveland Guardians game.

He holds an associate degree in Law Enforcement from Tri-C, a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Ohio University and an Executive MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has completed law enforcement certificate programs from the University of Michigan, the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and the Center for Domestic Preparedness.

"My journey has never been about the titles — it’s been about the people I’ve worked alongside and have been blessed to protect," Harris said. "Serving has been my purpose, leading has been my duty and being part of this community has been my greatest honor."

October 07, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu