Police bandmaster retires after long-standing career

Inspector of Police Bernard Haynes calls time on his long-standing policing career this Saturday, July 30, 2016.

Haynes has been a police officer for the past 36 years, leaving the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) as the bandmaster of the Police Band.

The 55-year-old was enlisted as a member of the RSVGPF on March 7, 1980, but was a band cadet from March 15, 1976.{{more}}

“The love for the job primarily playing music, my love for music kept me in the Police Force; so even if I had the opportunity to leave, I didn’t,” said Inspector Haynes as he reflected on his tenure.

Inspector Haynes, who is married to Joy Davis Haynes and is the father of four children, Reajhaun Baptiste, Anique Edwards, Bernique and Jonique Haynes, said: “Over the years, I served and I taught people. I was assigned by former Commissioner of Police Osborne Quow to even teach music at Troumaca Secondary School in Forms One, Two and Three. All that was a sense of achievement, as music is something dear to my heart and my passion is to just share that knowledge.”

Inspector Haynes said one can make a rewarding career from policing and it can be a career for life.

He said a police officer can pursue other professions alongside policing.

“You can be a police officer and a lawyer at the same time, as well as a counsellor and many other diverse professions. You also get to know a lot of people, but music plays an important role in bridging the gap between the public and the police, especially at independence, Carnival and school sports.

As Inspector Haynes goes into retirement, he plans to teach music.

“I hope to make myself available to tutor children in the art of reading music and the playing of instruments. My intention is to have a music school eventually,” said Inspector Haynes.

Inspector Haynes said he would like to thank the Commissioner of Police and members of the Police Force for their support over the years, as well as the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Inspector Haynes is the only police officer who has played in every Independence Parade since this country attained independence in 1979.

The Commissioner of Police and members of the constabulary wish Inspector Haynes well in his future endeavours. (Police Public Relations)