THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For two years, Dani J Stanly, a native of Adoor, worked with Vineeth Sreenivasan’s music band as a guitarist. He travelled extensively, performing with the group. Now, Dani is on the verge of hitting another major milestone in his life: he is among 126 cadets who will officially become part of the police band unit on Saturday after having completed nine months of training at the Police Training College in Thiruvananthapuram.
The induction of civil police officers to the band unit is a milestone for the police as well. It is for the first time in police history that the band members have been recruited through the Public Service Commission (PSC). The police band was formed in 1975 and the department in the past would bring in local artists or transfer personnel with artistic inclination to meet the band’s requirements.
This method continued until 2006, after which there was a freeze in hiring. The current recruitment via PSC was done to fill the vacancies and to strengthen the band unit, which had shrunk in size over the years.
The band unit is responsible for playing marching tunes for the Independence Day, Republic Day and police parades. The unit also provides its service during VIP visits and other major departmental events. Once they pass out, the band unit members will be attached to various camps across the state and they will be responsible for performing during police events for the next 25 to 30 years.
Dani, who specialised in playing the euphonium during training, said he chose the police job on account of it being a stable profession where he can pursue his passion as well.
Mahadevan T H , another trainee, is a law graduate who also performed on the tabla in live concerts and church and temple programmes. He also played the Nashik dhol for private events and later received training in the side drum, which paved the way for his police entry.
Mahadevan’s father served in the fire and rescue services department and the cadet said his love for the uniform grew after seeing his father’s work. “I always wanted to be part of the force and don the uniform. My fascination for the uniform is due to my father,” he said.
Among the trainees, 12 are postgraduates, one is an engineer, 45 are degree holders, and 13 are engineering diploma holders. There are also five retired army personnel among the trainees, who had mastered the skills in handling instruments while serving in the army.
They required only modifications to match the police requirements. During the training period, the cadets were trained in self-defence, swimming, firing, law, and parade. Advanced training was also given in handling brass and pipe bands. The brass bands feature instruments like trumpet, saxophone, euphonium, snare drums, bass drums and cymbals. Pipe band instruments are bagpipes, snare drums and bass drums. The training in instruments was given at the KAP Battalion II and the MSP.
All trainees have at least a year’s experience in handling instruments, while some have multiple years of experience under their belt. A majority of them worked in professional set-ups, partaking in church events and performing in concerts.