Police pipers win crowd support

Both the New Zealand Police Pipe Band and Auckland Police Pipe Band were in frontline action at the recent national pipe band championships in Papakura.

There was a big show of support from the crowd in response to both bands’ entertaining displays, which showcase operational policing tactics against the backdrop of piping and drumming music.

Both bands won their respective display grades, with the NZ Police Band taking home the title of ‘crowd favourite’, as deemed by a celebrity judge.

Earlier in the day, both bands had marched the streets of Papakura with members of the Auckland dog section, and with the Police colours paraded by Constable Emmeline Kowalewicze.

The NZ Police Pipe Band retained the Hunter Drill Shield it won in Dunedin last year and retained the Laurie Johnson Trophy, finishing third overall in Grade One.

The Auckland Police band placed 11th in Grade Three.

“All in all, Police and public relations were enhanced throughout the afternoon by the musical efforts of both bands,” says NZ Police Pipe Band Drum Major, Superintendent Hamish McCardle.

“The many months of practice at the RNZPC by the national band was rewarded with a nice collection of trophies.”