History

In 1920 there were a number of officers on the Winnipeg Police Force who played the bagpipes. With the support of Chief Constable C. Newton a small pipe band was formed under the direction of Pipe Major John Coghill. The band was placed under the jurisdiction of the Board of Police Commissioners who issued members with instruments and band uniforms. Authority was received from the Royal Household to wear the Royal Stewart tartan which has been the official tartan of the band since that time.

In 1920 the band was composed of twelve members of which only five were members of the Force. As the Force grew in size and more pipers and drummers entered into police service, the Police Commission in 1939 directed that only members of the Force would be permitted membership in the band. The band became a unit of the Force and was placed under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Constable who was responsible to the Chief Constable for the administration of the band and the performance of the members.

The authorized establishment of the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band was set at 12 pipers (including the Pipe Major), 1 bass drummer, 4 tenor drummers and 6 side drummers. During the 1950s and 1960s there were Police pipers and drummers waiting for vacancies to occur so they could become members. Today our band boasts a compliment of over 40 pipers and drummers.