OPS Pipe Band
The Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band has been in existence since 1969 and was originally founded by serving Ottawa Police officers. It's purpose at the time was to promote the police service's public relations but even more to contribute to memorials for slain police officers. This mission continues today for the band, which annually plays at Canada's national police memorial service, as well as memorial services, funerals, tattoos, highland games, and parades across Ontario and the U.S. The Band wears the 'Red Ross' Tartan in honour of Ottawa's first Chief Constable, Roderick Ross.
The Pipe Band, Colour Party, and Dancers currently number approximately 55 members. Pipers and drummers are both serving police officers and civilian volunteers under the direction of Pipe Major Jamie Ritchie and Drum Major Chris Renwick, both of whom are sworn members of the Ottawa Police. The band has frequently competed in Pipe Band competitions and in both 1994 and 2009, won the North American Championship for grade 4 bands at the Glengarry Highland Games. Many of our current pipers and drummers compete individually at different levels across North America and in Europe and have won numerous solo championships. The band currently competes at the grade 4 level and is rebuilding after finishing second in the grade 3 North American Championships in 2004. The band divided in two in 2010, and currently competes at both the grade 3 and grade 5 levels, enjoying much success. Much of the band's success can be attributed to it's former Pipe Major, Superintendent Pat Hayes M.O.M., who sadly passed away in September 2005 while still leading the band.
The OPS Pipe Band, Colour Party, and Dancers have performed across North America in both Canada and the United States. Apart from Ottawa and eastern Ontario, they have thrilled audiences with their dynamic show stopping styles in Colorado, Vancouver, Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, across Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In June 2005, the Band hosted and organized the 150th Anniversary Ottawa Police "Tattoo" held at the Civic Centre in Ottawa. Almost 500 performers, including four Pipe Bands, thrilled the crowds with pomp and pageantry in a magical spectacle which raised thousands of dollars for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. In the Fall of 2005, the band was invited to beautiful Bermuda, where it travelled to play in an International Tattoo celebrating 500 years of colonization. In January 2007, the OPS Pipe Band opened for rock star Rod Stewart at the Scotiabank Place stop in his Rockin' in the Round tour. In 2010, the Band played for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reopening of the Museum of Nature.
The Pipe Band has recorded four CD's in the past several years. These recordings have featured joint ventures with famous Canadian Tenor John McDermott, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pipes and Drums, the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, the Maple Leaf Brass Band, as well as the "Brigadoons", a celtic band from Glengarry. Much of the proceeds from sales have been donated to charities which include the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Children's Wish Foundation, and Big Sisters Big Brothers of Ottawa.
The Pipe Band is always looking for new members from the community who have the necessary qualities to enhance the band's current mission.
For more information, you can contact the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band, Colour Party, and Dancers at pipeband@ottawapolice.ca.