In 2002 the band established the Chicago Police Memorial Fund.   This endowment was created to provide headstones for Chicago Police officers killed in the line of duty and for those officers whose gravesites had fallen into disrepair or were without headstones.  Since is the inception of this fund the band has provided numerous headstones in memory of our fallen.

The Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department is over (30) thirty members strong composed of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The only prerequisite to joining the Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department is that you be an active sworn member of the Chicago Police Department; this makes us one of a handful of Police Pipe and Drum Bands in the entire world comprised completely of it's own rank and file;  serving with honor, protecting with integrity.

In 2004, under the leadership of Danny McGuire Sr. (Band Founder), and Danny McGuire Jr. and under the tutelage of Jake Watson and John Cairns of the 78th Fraser Highlanders - the entire band  ventured into the realm of professional pipe band competition.  The band debuted in 2004 placing 3rd overall in the Mid-West Pipe Band Association Grade V competitions where over 25 bands were competing.   Our friends from the Iowa Scottish Pipes and Drums had this to say; "...a bunch of quality guys putting together some quality sounds...making some noise in grade 5 this season...".  Real cops, reel music, real results.g some noise in grade 5 this season...".  Real cops, reel music, real results.

In 2004 the band traveled to Monaco and had the honor to play for Prince Raineer III and Prince's Family - the first time ever for an outside band to do perform with the Cabinieres (photos from the trip can be seen here).

In 2008 the band was featured as the "Gotham Police Pipes and Drums" during a funeral scene in the hit film - THE DARK KNIGHT (click here for more information)

Today we continue professional pipe and drum instruction with the help of Dave Johnston and Luke Cunningham.   In addition, we have clinics with Jake Watson and John Cairnes of the 78th Fraser Highlanders.

The band wears the Earl of St. Andrews tartan which reflects the colors of the Chicago Police Department regulation uniforms. The summer dress consists of a white police shirt with the departmental and city patch and Earl of St. Andrew epaulets. Short sleeve for warm days and indoor events and long sleeve with black tie for the cooler days (marking the police department calendar). The outdoor winter dress is the departmental blue tunic shirt with the departmental sweater. With both uniforms the band wears white spats over oxford shoes, St. Andrew tartan socks, horse hair sporran, black waist belt with silver buckle and the Balmoral cap with a blue/white checkerboard band.  The Drum Major wears a feather bonnet with a blue hackle and a blue and gold sash.

The band also wears a civilian dress uniform consisting of a black glengarry cap, short sleeved white CPD shirt with black tie, black vest, St. Andrews kilt, black leather sporran, white popcorn socks with navy flashes and ghillie brogues.

Pictures of the various band uniforms can be seen in our media section.

We hope you enjoy our website.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions please

E-Mail us at joseph.bowes@chicagopolice.org