GPF’s 184th Anniversary kicks off with traditional drum head church service

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) commenced its 184th Anniversary celebrations with the traditional drum head church service held on Saturday morning at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The significant occasion marks the beginning of a month-long series of planned events honouring the establishment of the Police Force on July 1, 1839. The event consisted of two phases: the piling of the drums and the church service.
Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag) Calvin Brutus, who was present at the event, explained to the audience the precise and coordinated nature of placing the drums due to the tactical significance of the drum head service.
According to Brutus, the piling of the drums is an ancient military custom dedicated to receiving divine blessings and protection before entering combat. This practice, he said, originated from the challenges faced on mobile battlefields, where entering places of worship was impossible.
The piling of the drums involves arranging several musical drums in a vertical, pyramid-like structure with the regimental banners placed on top.
“Historically, the regimental banners served as rallying points in the heat and smoke of battle, allowing soldiers to easily identify their units by their colours. Additionally, the sound of drums, particularly their beats, guided soldiers in marching and regulated the loading and reloading of weapons during battle.”
“Drummers also played a crucial role in boosting morale. Therefore, these symbolic elements required blessings. After the religious ceremony, the regimental banners and drums are removed. As the Guyana Police Force is a paramilitary organisation, the drum head activity has been retained,” noted Brutus.
There was a display at the event which included seven drums: five white side drums, one tenor drum, and one bass drum. Each rank was assigned to a specific drum, starting from the white side drums, followed by the bass drum and the tenor drum.
The ranks then marched in quick time, holding the respective drums with their left hand close to their bodies and resting on their left side hip. The drum parade, according to the Police Force, demonstrated strength, unity, and coordination, while creating a ‘spectacle’.

During the event, the drums were piled by Constable 25974 Ragnauth (side drum), Woman Lance Corporal 22199 Grimes (side drum), Constable 26143 Manoo (side drum), Constable 23148 Johnson (side drum), Constable 26100 Sardinha (bass drum), Constable 23974 Downer (tenor drum), and Constable 24926 Morris (side drum).
As a paramilitary organisation, the GPF adopted this tradition, among many others. The regimental banners were replaced by the National Flag and the Police Flag, respectively. The colour party consisted of Assistant Superintendent Singh (National colours) and Assistant Superintendent Cort (Police colours). Both officers wore sashes representing the Force.
The colour party was escorted by Sergeant #21118 Gillis and Inspector Morris #21115 Doliveria. Woman Superintendent Halley-Smith arranged the colours (State colour and Police colour).
Force Chaplain Reverend Patrick Doolichand delivered an engaging and thought-provoking sermon during the church service. He encouraged the Force’s leadership to work in partnership and continue building on the legacy and foundation laid by the great men who served before them.
Reverend Doolichand emphasised that serving the people is a sacred duty and quoted thinkers and philosophers such as Machiavelli and Aristotle to exemplify the importance of teamwork and collaboration for success.
Meanwhile, Pandit Seeram Madray, who also gave remarks, emphasised the significance of staying close to God regardless of one’s situation or status in life. He expressed gratitude to the Top Cop Clifton Hicken, for transforming the Guyana Police Force into a friendly and approachable organisation.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (performing the duties of President of Guyana), Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Omar Khan, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, and Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham.
Head of CANU James Singh, Head of the Police Service Commission Bishop Patrick Findlay, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag) Calvin Brutus, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag) Ravindradat Budhram, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, Special Branch Head Assistant Commissioner Errol Watts, SOCU Head Assistant Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, Retired Chief of Staff Norman McLean, and Retired Commissioners of Police Seelall Persaud and Nigel Hoppie, along with Divisional Commanders, Heads of Departments, and other senior and junior officers of the Guyana Police Force were also present.