Portland Police Highland Guard takes honors in Canada

July 18, 2002 00:00

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The Portland Police Highland Guard met with success when they traveled to British Columbia, Canada over the 4th of July to attend a weeklong training camp. The Highland Guard is a Scottish Bagpipe and Drum band comprised of public safety employees from the Portland area. The majority of members are Portland Police Bureau Officers.

The training camp is conducted by the Simon Fraser University Pipeband of Vancouver, Canada. They are the current and 4-time world champion pipeband.

The band training camp has grown into the largest such camp in the world with nearly 200 students. The 130 pipers in attendance are required to compose their own tune for the bagpipe over the course of the week.

For the second consecutive year, East Precinct Officer Brian Kelly had his original composition selected as "best tune". Criminalist Jim Ziegler was awarded "first runner-up" for his tune. The tunes written by both officers were performed by members of the Simon Fraser University Pipeband during the camp and will also be performed in later concerts by the world champion band.

The Portland Police Highland Guard was formed in 1998 to honor fallen officers. The band has performed at numerous funerals, conferences and community events.

For the first time, the Highland Guard will compete at the Portland Highland Games on Saturday July 20, 2002. The event is open to the public and will be held at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.

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Sgt. Pete Simpson
Peter.Simpson@portlandoregon.gov
Desk: 503-823-0830
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Alternate PIO:
Lt. Mike Marshman
Michael.Marshman@portlandoregon.gov
Desk: 503-823-0010
Pager: 503-790-1779

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Portland, Oregon 97204