DRPS Pipes and Drums is a Highland band that has been active since 1996. The band is currently made up of 38 members, including two active DRPS officers.

While the band performs at provincial and national police memorials and other police ceremonies, performances aren’t the bands only function. Pipes and Drums also runs a teaching program to inspire youth to learn Highland bagpipes or Highland drumming.

The band holds weekly teaching sessions are currently held at Durham College in the Police Education and Innovation Centre. There are currently 21 youths involved in the band including 9 pipers and 12 drummers! The band is currently seeking to add more youth to the program.

The program wouldn’t be a success without its instructors and Pipes and Band members who give their time to teach the students, including Drum Sgt. Ted Berlinghoff, John Findlay, Kelly Crowe, Sienna Johnson, Kirk Hill and Pipe Major Police Constable Mike Lasseter.

Piping students start with practice pipes and learn to read music and use proper technique while drumming students use practice pads before moving to the real instruments.

Pipes and Drums is also a competitive band. The band has travelled internationally to the Cleveland Police Memorial as well as to Europe for the 100th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

Interested youth between the ages of 8 to 14 can contact Pipe Major Cst. Mike Lasseter for more information at mlasseter@drps.ca.