Pipe Band

The Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band was founded in 1969 by serving Ottawa Police officers to promote police-community relations and to contribute to memorials for slain officers. 

This dynamic Band has paraded and performed across North America in Canada and the United States. They have thrilled audiences with their pageantry and show-stopping styles at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Bermuda, Normandy, Colorado, Vancouver, Cleveland, Buffalo, New Hampshire, Toronto, Montreal, Prince Edward Island, and across Ontario. 

The Ottawa Police support its Band as it competes annually throughout Ontario, the United States, and at the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Since the nineties, the Pipe Band has won various titles, including the Glengarry Games North American championship in grade four and Ontario Championship Supreme in grade two in 2012. 

The Band wears the 'Red Ross' Tartan in honour of Ottawa's first Chief Constable, Roderick Ross. 

Pipers and drummers are serving police officers as well as civilian volunteers under the direction of Pipe Major Will Ridley and Drum Major Shyldon Safruk. Both are sworn members of the Ottawa Police Service.

Competition

Throughout the years, the Band has enjoyed much success competing at various levels. Many of our current and former pipers and drummers compete individually at different levels across North America and Europe. They have won numerous solo championships, the most notable being the world championship solo gold medal at the Northern Meeting in 2010 by grade two Band Pipe Major Andrew Hayes. Much of the Band's success can be attributed to Andrew's father and former Pipe Major, Superintendent Pat Hayes M.O.M., who sadly passed away in September 2005 while still leading the Band.

Memorable Moments

In 2003, the Band was invited to play at Carnegie Hall for the 9/11 anniversary memorial concert by the NYPD Pipe Band. 

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 several 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 2005, the Band was invited to beautiful Bermuda to play in an International Tattoo celebrating 500 years of colonization. 

In January 2007, the Band opened for rock star Rod Stewart at the Scotiabank Place on his "Rockin' in the Round" tour. 

The Band performed for the opening of the 2012 Juno Awards and was invited to play "Mull of Kintyre" with Sir Paul McCartney at his July 2013 sold-out concert at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

The Pipe Band has produced four recordings in the past several years. Recordings feature 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, and the "Brigadoons," a Celtic band from Glengarry. Much of the proceeds from sales go to charities, including 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 musicians and dancers from the community who have the necessary qualities to enhance the Band's mission.

North American Pipe Band Championships

Congratulations to the Band that placed third in the North American Pipe Band Championships at the Glengarry Highland Games on July 30, 2016. This is the second year that the OPS Pipe Band has competed at the top competition level (grade 1).

the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band and highland dancers for more information!