Commissioner's Own Pipes and Drums

The band, formerly called the OPP Pipes and Drums, was formed in 1968 by Prov. Consts. Robert Stevens and Martin DeSilguy of the Nipigon detachment. It began as a small unit which played at local community events and police functions. Support and encouragement rose from several quarters and the band was soon participating in events in north-western Ontario. In 1974, the band was officially recognized. During the 1970s and 1980s, the band appeared before thousands of spectators in Canada and the U.S., gaining wide acceptance as OPP ambassadors when some performances were aired on international television.

Sadly, in 1991, due to economic realities, the OPP Pipes and Drums, the band which had mesmerized audiences at parades and exhibitions for more than two decades, was no more. In 1994, after a three year absence, the idea was explored to use volunteers: officers, auxiliary officers and civilians, to re-form a pipe band. On August 19, 1994, the Commissioner’s Own Pipes and Drums marched to the beat of the bass drum for the first time since the spring of 1991. The Commissioner’s Own Pipes and Drums proudly wears the colours of the Ontario tartan.

Today’s unit is comprised of civilians and uniformed members, men and women from various parts of the province. The decision to permit community members to join the band has enabled the band to, once again, reach a high musical standard for which the previous band was known.