The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force celebrated its 120th anniversary during a ceremony to officially launch commemorative stamps featuring pictures of the band.

The band’s year long celebrations started in January this year with a church service hosted at the Church of God of Prophecy that featured a parade of community and church bands from throughout the Bahamas.

This week’s ceremony took place at the Police Headquarters on East Street and was attended by numerous police and government officials, including Ministers Glenys Hanna-Martina and Hope Strachan.

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade brought remarks during the event as he heralded the police force band as an icon of Bahamian culture.

He said: “For the past 120 years, the Royal Bahamas Police Force has been a Bahamian national icon. This band has been used as the centrepiece to promote travel to the Bahamas and its place is etched in the historical annals of our country’s birth into nationhood 40 years ago.

“To say that the Royal Bahamas Police force Band is a part of the Bahamian tapestry and is an accurate description of an institution within an institution.”

He added: “Today, the members of the band are thoroughly professional and many of them have successfully completed international exams that have made them by far the most credentialed group of Police musicians anywhere in this region.”

He said: “As Commissioner of Police, I am not only satisfied that the members of the band are outstanding musicians, but I am also proud of the fact that these men and women are first and foremost, trained police officers and at a moment’s notice, they are ready to protect our nation’s resources with the same level of commitment they bring to their duties as members of the world famous Royal Bahamas Police Force band.”

Speaking to band members present at the ceremony, he instructed them to “take advantage of parks, green spaces, playgrounds, national events and all other legitimate venues to enhance the Bahamian experience.”

During her speech, Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation, said: “At a time when the Royal Bahamas Police Force faces many great challenges, the police band represents the standards and values we expect from our police officers.”

She also hailed the band to be an important part of Bahamian culture.

More than 70 officers of various ranks attended the official ceremony launching the commemorate stamps, including 40 band members.