Toronto Police Pipe Band was founded in 1912 under Pipe Major Thomas Ross. In his honour, the band wears the Ross tartan. It was originally formed for local parades and public events, and later took part in recruiting drives during the First World War. Operations were paused around the Second World War period, before the band returned to parade activity in 1960.

In the 1970s, Toronto Police began competing seriously and rose from Grade 2 to Grade 1. The band became one of Canada’s leading police pipe bands, winning the Grade 1 North American Championship at Maxville three times, in 1996, 2004 and 2006. In 2006, it also won the American and Canadian Championships, making it a standout season.

The band is also remembered for musical innovation, including its 2008 medley “Variations on a Theme of Good Intentions”, arranged around a suite-style concept rather than a standard tune sequence. Today, Toronto Police Pipe Band remains a major name in Canadian pipe band history, with plenty of swagger, polish and enough Grade 1 pedigree to make the score sheets sit up straight.