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The Band of The Barbados Police Service

It was in 1889 when nineteen young constables with musical ability were taken from among the foot patrols to form a band for the Force, under the direction of Mr. Willlock of the British West Riding Regiment then stationed in Barbados. Most performances were limited to Queen’s Park, Bay Street Esplanade, The Garrison, Hastings Rocks, Guards of Honour, Bazaars, other ceremonial parades and various government health institutions.

In 1914, James Bennernagel, a Sergeant Major, in the British Guyana Militia Band was appointed Band Master. Five years later he introduced the Cadet System in the Band for youngsters between the ages of twelve and eighteen years. At Central Station, the Band barracks was a building near Tudor Street in the proximity to Centipede Alley. Cadets would perform Guard duties at Central Station and this meant sleeping on boards fully dressed so that if you had to blow the bugle for fire, the arrival of the Commissioner, reveille, lights out or for roll call you would be ready.

During the war years, since leave was almost impossible, the band held concerts every Sunday afternoon on the Barrack Square for the families of policemen. In 1944, James Bennernagel died and Sergeant Elias acted as Bandmaster until Mr. C.E. Raison arrived from England the same year and was appointed Bandmaster. He was soon promoted to the rank of Captain and to Director of Music, the title being changed from Bandmaster.

 

Captain Raison was succeeded by Lieutenant Joseph Griffith, a Barbadian, then Bandmaster of the St.Lucia Police Band. Mr William Greasley, an Englishman, then followwed on contract and remained until 1968 when Mr. Prince Cave was appointed, giving the Band its first director who had risen through the ranks. Mr. Cave was succeeded in 1982 by Mr. Gordan Lovell.

After the end of the war, the Band was removed from Central Station to St. Cecelia Barracks on Passage Road, and Bandsmen were given the opportunity to go overseas to improve their knowledge of music. In 1965 the Band was moved to District A to occupy the quarters once allocated to the Commissioner of Police.

 

The band has played a vital role in making the force one of the finest institutions Barbados and the Caribbean has produced. The worldwide popularity of the Band has been enormous. The spectacular fantasy of form and movement, aglow with gorgeous colours, similar to that of the Mounted Police, have captivated audiences.

The band continues to play an important role in the public relation programmes of the Force, and has defined its goals and objectives for future development alongside the rest of the Force.