Queensland Police Pipes & Drums

The Queensland Police Pipes & Drums (QPP&D) was originally formed by a keen and committed group of police officers who had sought since 1956 to establish a Pipe Band to both represent the QPS and compete in pipe band contests.

In March 1958 Commissioner Bischoff formalised his approval, and the inaugural performance of the QPP&D was a swearing-in ceremony at the RNA Grounds in August 1958​. Their first performance in​​​ their new band uniforms was the Australia Day Procession, 26 January 1959.

Today the QPP&D perform at official engagements such as police inductions, National Police Remembrance Day, Anzac Day and Government House events where they provide a spectacular addition to formal procedures. QPP&D is dedicated to strengthening and maintaining positive relationships between police and the people of Queensland through musical performance and community engagement. ​

QPP&D serves the Queensland community by regularly performing at charity and community events, festivals, shows in the south-east corner and visits regional areas throughout the state for conferences and special events such as NAIDOC Week. We also visit hospitals, nursing homes, retirement villages, schools and youth clubs – working with other police districts and various groups in the areas of community engagement and crime prevention.

The QPP&D run a Kops in Kilts program tailored to suit primary school children. The performance is free, runs for approximately 45 minutes, is interactive with students given the opportunity to play percussion instruments and includes traditional and modern pipe band music along with some children's favourites. Often, it is the first time a child has seen a set of bagpipes, let alone heard them played by a member in a kilt.  

Members of the QPP&D also tutor the Queensland Police Juvenile Pipes and Drums (QPJP&D), a competing pipe band, currently at Grade 4 level. Members range from 8-17 years and not only learn valuable musical skills, but also develop discipline, respect, commitment, teamwork and a sense of achievement. As well as competing. The QPJP&D play at a variety of engagements throughout the year where they are provided with opportunities to gain both experience and exposure.

QPP&D not only provide world-class entertainment, but is a powerful asset in strengthening and maintaining positive and inclusive relationships between the QPS and our diverse communities.