Meet the Members

Chief Constable Harj Sidhu

Chief Constable of the DPD

Chief Constable Harj Sidhu was named to his position in November 2024, and is the department’s fir

Corey Tillyer

Pipe Major

Pipe Major

Moe Coll

Drum Major

Drum Major

Steve Ramsden

Staff SGT/ Piper

Alan Cochrane

Side Drummer

Barry Mann

Tenor Drummer

Corporal

Bill Bennett

Piper

Corporal/ , Quartermaster

Bruce Harborne

Piper

Corporal

Cameron Thomson

Piper

Colin Abel

Piper

Colin Barrett

Piper

Sergeant

David Trotter

Piper

Vice President

Don MacPherson

Piper

Gary Brookes

Piper

President

Grant Laporte

Piper

Corporal

Hugh Jack

Piper

Corporal

Iver Cameron

Side Drummer

Jack Mellis

Piper

Jamie Thomson

Alumni

Jeff Cruickshank

Tenor Drummer/ Events

Events

Jim Campbell

Piper

Sergeant

Jim Wishlove

Piper

Deputy Drum Major, Regimental Dancer

Joanna Stefani

Piper

Director/ Regimental Dancer

Jonesy Wu

Piper

Sergeant

Keith Thomson

Piper/ Sergeant

Sergeant

Ken Wright

Piper

Leonard Zurkowski

Auxillary

Marsh McCallum

Piper/ Sergeant

Sergeant

Martin VanZuylekom

Tenor Drummer

Ray Tessier

Piper/ Treasurer

Richard Ryan

Tenor Drummer

Ron McLaren

Piper/ Sergeant

Sergeant

Scott MacNeil

Piper/ Sergeant

Director/ Sergeant

Steve Fudge

Bass Drummer

Taryn Marcotte

Side Drummer

Corporal

Toner Nailen

Side Drummer

Trevor Black

Auxiliary

Photographer

Chief Constable Harj Sidhu

Chief Constable of the DPD

Chief Constable Harj Sidhu was named to his position in November 2024, and is the department’s first South Asian Chief Constable. He has been a member of the Delta Police Department since 1993, beginning his policing career at the department as a recruit constable. Chief Sidhu has a strong commitment to collaborating with the community and stakeholders, working together to problem solve issues, and create solutions tailor made to Delta, and presides over the department’s “No Call too Small” approach over policing. He worked closely with the Tsawwassen First Nation administrative staff to develop a model of policing deployment which recognizes cultural sensitivities and accounts for the needs of industrial, commercial and residential stakeholders. Chief Sidhu was the primary investigator on the high-profile Panghali homicide investigation, which led to a successful prosecution in a challenging case where the investigators had to rely on circumstantial evidence. During his career in Delta Police, he developed and implemented the DPD’s current service delivery model, the Delta Service Enhancement Plan, and created a computer software system that allows officers to account for their proactive activities. His work in this area resulted in a 25% reduction in property crime offences. Chief Sidhu has been instrumental in introducing Business Intelligence Systems that supports evidence based decision making throughout the organization. He is an accredited Gold Commander for public order incidents, a graduate of the FBI Command and Executive Leadership Courses, and a graduate of the Sr. Management Institute of Police Program from Boston University.  He holds a BA in economics from the University of BC. When Chief Sidhu isn’t at work he enjoys being on the soccer pitch with his daughters, and also living a simpler life on the family’s blueberry farm.

Steve Ramsden

Staff SGT/ Piper

Steve is the previous Pipe Major for the DPPB. He began piping at 9 years old with the White Spot Pipe Band. Steve also competed with the Triumph Street Pipe Band before joining DPPB in 1983; a natural move since he is a retired Delta Police Staff Sergeant. Piping highlights include the Intercontinental Pipe Band Championships placing 4th with Triumph Street and winning the Cutty Sark award for best Canadian Pipe Band, the Edinburgh Tattoo with the DPPB marching out onto the esplanade for the first time alongside the Scots Guards, and 3 on-stage performances with Sir Paul McCartney.

Cameron Thomson

Piper

Bio to Follow

Martin VanZuylekom

Tenor Drummer

Bio to Follow

Scott MacNeil

Piper/ Sergeant

Bio to follow

Leonard Zurkowski

Auxillary

Leonard grew up in rural Manitoba and came to BC in 1965. He was involved in the airline/travel business until 1984 when he started up a marketing/consulting company; fully retiring in 2014. Leonard has been involved with several charities as a board member and assisted with fundraising campaigns. In 2017 Leonard began volunteering for the DPPB because it is a great fun-loving bunch to be around and he admires the dedication involved of the band members. In 2019 Leonard became an auxiliary member assisting with activities and events associated with DPPB.

Trevor Black

Auxiliary

After retiring from the Vancouver Police Department Trevor worked for the RCMP’s Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 Olympics. This was a group of twelve similarly retired police officers from various departments, four of whom were members of the DPPB! Trevor attended his first ever Burns Supper that year and thought it was fantastic! Being handy with a camera, Trevor quickly became the official DPPB photographer. Trevor was then recruited to emcee the Burns Suppers. Trevor has been the band’s emcee and photographer for many years now and says it would make his Scottish Mum very happy.

Jonesy Wu

Piper

A professional musician before settling in Canada, Jonesy enjoys the pipes because they are like his first instrument, the suona, which looks similar to a pipe chanter. Jonesy started piping in 2001 with Milton Cameron, and joined the JP Fell Pipe Band shortly thereafter. He joined DPPB in 2009, and enjoys how the band has always been welcoming and supportive. Favorite moments include DPPB’s many international performances, playing for Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Paul McCartney, and playing suona with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Ken Wright

Piper

Ken started learning the pipes at the age of 12 with the Boys Brigade in Glasgow. A period of hiatus followed as he studied for an engineering degree. As a surprise birthday gift, his wife gave him a practice chanter which provided the impetus to take up the pipes again. He joined the North Bay Pipe Band in 1975 until moving to the west coast in 1981. A work colleague introduced him to the Delta Police band in 1983. Highlights include the Edinburgh international tattoo knowing relatives were in the audience and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.

Jim Wishlove

Piper

Jim started piping as an adult learner because of his family’s history of Scottish service in the military and his time as a Seaforth Highlander. He is one of the founding members of the Richmond Fire-Rescue Pipe Band and joined the DPPB in 2006. Jim enjoys the excellent camaraderie, the collection of incredibly positive people, and the supportive friendships he has created. A favorite memory for Jim is playing the lone piper at the Menin Gate ceremony in September in 2015. Jim currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Richmond Fire-Rescue department.

David Trotter

Piper

Dave's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!

Keith Thomson

Piper/ Sergeant

Keith’s father, Jamie, is a piper in the band and forced Keith to learn bagpipes against his will (or so the story goes.) Before joining the DPPB in 2009, Keith piped with the White Spot Pipe Band and the Seaforth Cadets. Favorite band moments include the Basel Tattoo and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.

Jamie Thomson

Alumni

Jamie grew up with pipe music in his house but got the call to pipe in 1983 while watching his daughter highland dance. He joined the DPPB that same year and has often commuted from a distance due to his work life. Jamie describes the band as home, a true gift, and family. His son Keith also pipes in the band. Jamie has performed in all the DPPB highlight reel performances but recalls playing in Westville, Nova Scotia when the whole county crammed the streets clapping and yelling and were honoured as hero’s at the fire hall.

Ray Tessier

Piper/ Treasurer

An accomplished jazz and classic rock bass guitar player, Ray began piping in 2008 having been exposed to pipes throughout his career as a CAF member. After piping with a few local bands, Ray joined the DPPB in 2012 because he heard about the camaraderie and how supportive the band is musically and emotionally. Ray’s favorite moment was his first band trip performing in the ‘Music Parade’ throughout Germany. Ray is a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer currently teaching in the AME program at BCIT.

Richard Ryan

Tenor Drummer

Richard's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!

Toner Nailen

Side Drummer

Toner's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!

Ron McLaren

Piper/ Sergeant

Ron started piping in 1984 with the Seaforth Association Pipe Band but later that year switched to the DPPB at the urging of a neighbour. Ron felt immediately welcomed to the band, even as a beginner piper, with the spirit of friendship and supportive attitude making him proud to be part of the DPPB. It is almost impossible for Ron to distill the numerous ‘once in a lifetime moments’ in his time with the band, but would rank performing in the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1994, and three performances with Paul McCartney as being at the top of the list.

Marsh McCallum

Piper/ Sergeant

After years of learning pipes on his own, Marsh took his love for piping to a new level and found an instructor. Finding the competitive pipe band schedule conflicted with family life, Marsh decided to explore the DPPB in 2010. He discovered playing with a large group that is appreciated by the public is very satisfying. Marsh enjoys the Robbie Burn’s Suppers with the work that goes into the event and how well it is received by the community. Marsh is a leader on the band’s tuning team and is key to the band’s awesome sound.

Taryn Marcotte

Side Drummer

During a jam session at her parents’ home, Taryn became enamoured with drumming. Taryn immediately set aside her banjo, mandolin, trumpet and piano for drumming. In her teens Taryn played with the Red and White Aires All-girl Drum and Bugle Corps and was lead drummer for the combined Air Cadet Band. She has also played kit drum with several entertainment and dance bands. Upon moving to BC, Taryn joined the DPPB in 2006 and is the band’s first female member. Taryn cannot pick a highlight because she loves everything about the DPPB, especially the people.

Barry Mann

Tenor Drummer

Barry became involved in the local Scottish community when his two boys began piping and drumming with the White Spot Pipe Band. As a ‘band parent’, he helped with band logistics and eventually became WSPB President in 2005 when they competed in Scotland. As a Vancouver Police Detective/Pilot, Barry heard that the DPPB wanted to form a colour guard so he joined in 2014 and performed with the DPPB in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Rotterdam Tattoo. Barry started learning tenor drum and is now a tenor drummer and the band’s Quartermaster.

Don MacPherson

Piper

Don's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!

Grant Laporte

Piper

Grant's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!

Hugh Jack

Piper

Hugh began piping in 1949 at the age of 10 with the "262, Boys Brigade" in Glasgow with Robert Read as his instructor. He quit piping to play guitar but the pipes called to him again many years later. Hugh immigrated to Canada in 1964 with his wife Carol. He has played with many bands over the years, joining the DPPB in 2014. Hugh enjoys the DPPB’s fun social activities and International travel. Memorable experiences include playing with Sir Paul McCartney and the Chieftains, competing four times at the World Pipe Band Championships and being a Canadian Grade 4 Champion.

Bruce Harborne

Piper

Bruce is retired from a 30+ year career in Information Technology. With Scottish musicians in the family, Bruce started piping in 2004 joining JP Fell Pipe Band. He joined DPPB in 2017 at the urging of a friend and fellow DPPB piper. Even though Bruce finds the music a bit of a challenge due to dyslexia, he finds the band’s comradery helps him step up his musicianship. Playing for Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle and attending Remembrance Day Services in the Netherlands are highlights for Bruce.

Steve Fudge

Bass Drummer

Steve is a retired Vancouver Police Sergeant with 32 years of service and 10 years civilian service with the RCMP. Previous bands include the STMS Irish Fusilier Army Cadet Band and the Vancouver Police Pipe Band where he participated in the 50th anniversary of the Edinburgh Tattoo. Steve joined the DPPB in 2005 and has travelled extensively performing in numerous parades and Tattoos. His favorite moments include playing for Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and performing on stage with Sir Paul McCartney. Steve enjoys the camaraderie and the lifelong friends that he has met in the DPPB.

Jeff Cruickshank

Tenor Drummer/ Events

Jeff retired in 2010 after a career with the Ports Canada Police and the BC welfare fraud investigations. He has been married for 47 years with two daughters and four grandchildren. After an injury forced Jeff to end an unsuccessful beer hockey league career, friends persuaded him to join the DPPB where he became a member in 2000. Jeff has served on the band executive and is currently the Event Manager. Highlights include 20 years of great camaraderie and fellowship, performing at the 2001 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the 2010 Windsor Castle Royal Military Tattoo and with Sir Paul McCartney.

Alan Cochrane

Side Drummer

Growing up in Northern Ireland, Alan’s association with drumming started back in the 1960’s playing with his father in the town’s silver band. Alan immigrated to Canada in 1972 and settled in BC in 1978. While walking his dog, Alan met Brian Northam who invited Alan to drop by practice and meet the band. A little rusty, Alan has stuck with it due to the encouragement of the band members who work hard but also have fun. Alan is impressed with how the DPPB takes pride in dressing, deportment and sounds.

Jim Campbell

Piper

Jim is a retired Vancouver Teacher. He had his first chanter lesson in 1968 when a neighbour, and DPPB member, took him to meet the late PM Howard Duncan. Over the years, Jim has piped with many community and competitive bands joining the DPPB In 2014. Jim’s favorite DPPB band moment was the Basel Tattoo in 2018. Jim finds the DPPB very welcoming and makes him feel valued as a member because there is a real sense of fraternity/sorority in the band. Jim recently became a grandfather of Connor Campbell on February 2020.

Iver Cameron

Side Drummer

Iver began drumming in 1957 with Cointon and Currie Pipe Band which is the oldest civilian, non-military pipe band in Scotland. Iver also drummed with the Lake Superior Scottish and Penticton City Pipe Bands joining the DPPB in 2000. He enjoys travelling with the DPPB and belonging to a band without the pressure of competing. Iver’s most memorable musical moments include winning Grade 3 Drumming at the prestigious Cowal Games and marching thru Dunoon with the trophy, playing in the opening of the Edinburgh Tattoo and with Sir Paul McCartney.

Bill Bennett

Piper

Billy started piping to celebrate his Scottish heritage. After piping with several other bands, he joined the DPPB 2008 because he would see the DPPB at parades, loved the look and knew the band would improve his piping. Billy’s favorite DPPB experience is piping in the Basel Tattoo partly because it was his first experience ‘of that sort’ but also because the whole trip was amazing. Billy finds all band performances have their own experience because the DPPB is fun. Billy’s other interests include getting away in his motorhome and fishing.

Colin Barrett

Piper

Colin began piping in high school with St. Thomas More and played in several bands through the years. Colin joined the DPPB in 1991 and immediately saw the comradery between members and how the band is always moving toward new goals. Colin’s favorite moments include performing in the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Windsor Tattoo before the Royal family, piping on stage with Sir Paul McCartney and being the solo piper for the finale of the Rotterdam Tattoo. Colin has also been a living history re-enactor at Fort Langley since 1984. He and his wife raised 5 children and have 4 grandchildren.

Colin Abel

Piper

Colin started on the chanter at the age of eight with Malcolm Nicholson. Over the years he has played with many local pipe bands. Colin joined the DPPB in 1991 and ten years later became the temporary reluctant Pipe Major; a rank that lasted for ten years! Colin has met Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family three times; as an RCMP bodyguard in 1983, at the Balmoral Highland Games and the Windsor Castle Tattoo. Highlights for Colin include winning the Cowal Championship with Vancouver Kiwanis, marching through the gates of Edinburgh Castle and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.

Jack Mellis

Piper

Jack started piping in 1975 because his parents are from Scotland. He was in the Seaforth Highlanders as a soldier and served 38 years in the RCMP. After piping in several other community pipe bands, Jack joined the DPPB in 1988 and has stayed because of the camaraderie. Favorite moments include piping in the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1988 and 1994 with the rush of marching and piping through the castle gates onto the esplanade. Jack is a proud grandpa and sings with the DPPB’s “Deltones.”

Joanna Stefani

Piper

Joanna moved from Nova Scotia to BC in 2012 where she took up the bagpipes. She piped with the Cedar Hills Caledonian Pipe Band before she moved to Tsawwassen and joined the DPPB. Joanna loves the community feeling of the band, that she gets to give back to her adopted community and enjoys being involved with the annual Burns dinner as a piper and dancer. Joanna keeps busy with her young children and dog Fundy. Joanna and her husband Ryan are paramedics with BC Ambulance Service. She also pipes in the Ambulance Paramedics BC Ceremonial Unit.

Moe Coll

Drum Major

Moe is a retired Vancouver Police Officer. In 1975 he joined the Vancouver Police Pipe Band playing tenor and bass drums. He later took up piping and has piped with JP Fell and Seattle Police Pipe Bands; joining the DPPB in 2002. Moe enjoys the non-competitive, inclusive teamwork and fun social environment the band provides. Moe’s favourite band moments include performing with Sir Paul McCartney, meeting Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip when playing at the Windsor Castle tattoo, participating in over 25 Military Tattoos, and networking with other pipe bands worldwide.

Gary Brookes

Piper

Gary’s grandfather, mentioned in the book, “BC Pioneer Pipers”, gave him a chanter when he was eleven years old but it wasn’t until 2002 that he started piping. Gary piped with the JP Fell Pipe Band before joining the DPPB in 2004. Serving as the band President for over seven years and (co)chairing the Burns Dinner multiple times kept his leadership skills fully engaged. Memorable moments, aside from the many tattoos the band attends,  include playing for the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo and accompanying Sir Paul McCartney on-stage playing Mull of Kintyre!  Gary notes that the best part of this band is the camaraderie with fellow members as we all contribute our time for the love of music.

Corey Tillyer

Pipe Major

  Corey is now the new Pipe Major for the Delta Police Pipe Band. With the encouragement of her grandfather, Corey started piping when she was 11 years old. She has piped with several competition bands and has competed at the World Pipe Band Championships winning Grade 3 with the Vancouver Ladies and placing 6th and 7th in Grade 2 with New Westminster Police. Corey joined the DPPB in 2012 and loves the balance of community, service, camaraderie, commitment and fun the band provides. Her favorite piping moments include winning at the World’s, playing for Prince Charles and Lady Diana, and meeting Sir Paul McCartney before playing on stage with him and the DPPB.