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Inspector Bernard Haynes leads the Police Band as they march through Kingstown on Independence Day, Oct. 27. (IWN photo)
Inspector Bernard Haynes leads the Police Band as they march through Kingstown on Independence Day, Oct. 27. (IWN photo)
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After Bernard Haynes’ mother died when he 9 years old, his aunt found it financially difficult to send him to secondary school when he passed the requisite exam. That was some 40 years ago.

So, he went back to primary school, and later passed the School Leaving Examination.

But, unlike many persons who passed the exam in the 1970s, Haynes did not opt to become a teacher.

He joined the Police Cadet Band.

And, that single decision earned this unassuming Inspector of Police, who is Head of the Police Force Band, a place in Vincentian history that will be difficult to match, far less to beat.

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When the troops lined up on Oct. 27 for this year’s Independence celebrations, the nation’s 35th, Haynes was there.

He was there, like he has been since 1979, when the Union Jack was lowered, and the breadfruit leaf flag of Independent SVG was unfurled.

“I was a cadet there, and I am here up to this parade, 2014,” Haynes told I-Witness News after SVG’s 35th anniversary of Independence.

But this year’s independence parade could very much be Haynes’ last as a member of the troops. He is due to retire next year from the Police Force, the only job he has ever had.

Haynes joined the Police Cadet Band in 1976, and participated in the Statehood observations in ’77 and ’78.

He joined the Police Band in 1980, and it remained the only department to which he was assigned during his career as a police officer.

“It feels good. It is a milestone, and over the years, I’ve grown to like the Independence Parade and come to look [for]and expect something special,” he told I-Witness News about the fact that he has been among the troops at every Independence Parade to date.

He reminisced about the “early days” when mainly police officers and auxiliary police officers participated in the parade.

He is delighted that Independence Parade now includes Police, Auxiliary Police, Cadets, nurses, Boy Scouts, Pathfinders, Girl Guides and other uniformed bodies.

The “earlier days” were also characterised by the playing of colonial songs, and military marches, and even Trinidadian calypsos.

“In recent times, we gravitate towards the local songs: calypsos, patriotic songs,” said Haynes, who became head of the Police Force Band in 2010.

Haynes’ 30-year journey to become head of the Police Force Band, was a difficult one.

“It was rough at first. When I just joined, they had a lot of experienced persons here, persons who could have played well,” said Haynes who plays the trombone, keyboard, and baritone.

“So I studied my music, because I got to love it very much and I used to like to practice. I spent a lot of hours practicing, because I always wanted to play to the best of my ability.”

Haynes also received training in Venezuela in 1986.

“And that helped me build a better foundation, arranging, conducting, harmony, musical analysis and so on. And that made me more rounded.”

Haynes has also done courses by distance with the Royal School of Music, advancing to grade 8, and has attended a workshop in Kingstown, facilitated by Wynton Learson Marsalis a trumpeter, composer, teacher, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, United States.

“I read a lot. I had a music book and I read a lot about music and so on. So I am also self taught too,” Haynes said.

Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne chats with Haynes during the Independence Parade. (IWN photo)
Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne chats with Haynes during the Independence Parade. (IWN photo)

Preparing the Police Force Band for the Independence Parade is a very hectic undertaking, with members rehearsing from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. several times a week.

This is in addition to going to Victoria Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays for rehearsal.

“Rehearsal is a very serious affair. As you have heard, the testimony is there on the park when you hear the music playing, you know some preparation has gone into that,” Haynes told I-Witness News.

But life itself has provided Haynes with enough challenges to help with to cope with the demands of his job.

In 1969, at age nine, Haynes, who is originally from Calliaqua, lost his mother. He then moved to Ratho Mill, where he lived with his aunt until 2001.

“It was rough, because during that time, I passed common entrance to go to St. Martin’s, and my aunt who I was living with, my sister was also there, she said she will try with the girl (sister) to get into secondary school but it might be difficult to send me …

“So I didn’t go to a secondary school because my aunt said she will try with the girl, but she didn’t get any sponsorship to send me, because you had to pay in those days to go to secondary school,” Haynes told I-Witness News.

He went on to pass the School Leaving Exam, but chose to not become a teacher.

“I joined the Police Cadet at the age of 15 going on to 16, and there my career started. So, I never worked anywhere else beside the Police Force,” Haynes boasted to I-Witness News.

Of his 35th Independence Parade, Haynes remembers most fondly the 2011 event, when the Police Band did one of its first major displays, at which the drum major, Haynes, and another officer engaged in some break dancing.

“We had the crowd going. And years before, the crowd never used to be so big, but since we did that, every year, massive crowds have been turning out,” he says, adding that people now inquire about the special displays that the Police Band will put on during the Independence Parade.

But some persons have also criticised the police Force for the displays, saying that it is disrespectful of their uniform and the occasion.

“Persons sometimes don’t like their own. They go to other countries and they see horses dancing. Recently, I have seen the Ecuadorians come here and they are doing their own style (goose step), but people don’t like their own,” Haynes said in response.

“They have seen Trinidadians dancing, they have seen Grenadians dancing. We got some criticism, but the majority of persons said they have never seen anything like that. So, the excitement that was created there, the amount of praises and congratulations that the Police Band got, I felt happy and that was the most memorable independence I can speak of, right,” Haynes told I-Witness News.

Haynes could be into his final year as a police officer and head of the Police Force Band. (IWN photo)
Haynes could be into his final year as a police officer and head of the Police Force Band. (IWN photo)

But there was one year when the flu almost prevented Hayne from missing the Independence Parade.

One morning, he was feeling a little under the weather with the flu, but he still turned up.

“I was even coughing on the parade, but I made it through. A strong will, I went through and I stuck it out,” Haynes told I-Witness News.

Haynes turns 55 next year — retirement age for the Police Force. He told I-Witness News that he is not yet sure whether he will apply for an extended stint.

“Well, I take one at a time, but right now, I can’t say. I have done a lot of time here, and when your time comes to go, you have to look elsewhere,” he said.

If he does retire next year, Haynes, who is father of renowned Vincentian musician Reajhuan Baptiste, might become a music instructor.

“Seeing [that there is] this big demand from persons needing help, I am thinking about organising a music school to assist persons wanting music training,” he said.

But even as he prepares to leave the Police Force, Haynes is concerned about how few persons want to learn to play wind instruments. He noted that the majority of young people attending the police summer music programme opt for the pan.

“Persons are afraid of the wind instrument. They say it is hurting their mouths, take too much out of their stomach and it is hard to blow. But we need persons to get into wind instruments, because the Police Band right now, we are short on members,” he said, adding that the Police Band Cadets has been put on hold for the past three years.

Haynes is encouraging persons who are interested in music to join the Police Force then ask to be transferred to the Band.

“You can be a musician, you can be an engineer, you can be a song producer, music producer, artiste, composer, conductor or publisher.

“Many people don’t see music as a career, but I am an example. I have worked nowhere else other than the police Force, I’ve made it right here, so you can take music as a career,” said Hayne, who has played music in calypso tents, as well as for the bands Exodus, Asterisks, Resurrection, and Touch.

And as music, so is the Independence Parade dear to Haynes’ heart.

“Every year, the Prime Minister always says good words about me, and these things make me happy. So, even if I retire, I will still be going to see the parade, ‘cause the independence parade is dear to my heart…

“I think I will miss it, miss all the excitement and so on. I know it will be hard to get accustomed to how I will feel when I am off. I’ll miss it,” Hayne told I-Witness News.

7 replies on “Police officer who participated in each of SVG’s Independence Parades prepares to retire”

  1. Kenroy Brislie Nanton says:

    Inspector Bernard Haynes is one of the most humble and respectful human being I have ever worked with. Yes, me too, I was a Band Cadet and so I worked with him for seven years before I moved on to other things. I am a musician too and I must say that Mr. Haynes is one of those persons who taught, trained and mentored me as a youth up to adulthood. Although I am not serving as an active musician at this moment, I am fully confident that I can pick up my Tenor Saxophone and join Mr. Haynes. I am sure he will be anxious and delighted to see if I still have the standard. I would like to assure you Mr. Haynes that all your students are very good musicians. I thank you and I wish you all the best for the future.

  2. I am so proud of you Haynes, you deserve the best. I knew you as a cadet since going to high school 37yrs ago. You exhibit a quiet disposition, always smiling, and I am so happy for you.
    May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob grant you peace, long life, joy, and stability in all of your endeavors. Ex-339.

  3. Congrats Inspector Haynes (Bernard “Nardy Jamback” Haynes). We are proud of you.

    I remember all those Sunday mornings when you woke me up with your trombone. It certainly paid off. You also had a column in one of the local papers.

    Best Wishes in your future endeavours.

  4. DAISLEY DURRANT EX POLICE OFFICER says:

    you are doing awonderful job may the lord continues to bless you and your family.and if you do decided to retire;I LOVE YOUR IDEA OF OPENING AMUSIC SCHOOL THAT IS GREAT.MAY YOUR HEALTH NEVER FAILS.

  5. Bernard my heart is overwhelmed at your accomplishment. Praise the lord for seeing you through. I am elated and overjoyed about my next door neighbor. Reading about on the net and seeing your photo in uniform is great. I cannot resist send my best wishes to you from New York. God bless you and keep being the fine outstanding man you have grown to be.

    Cecily Linton and Devil sister

  6. Great committment to career and country. Exellent example to the youth of our nation and region. we did the cadet exams together and he always shout me up ” Country man!” when ever i home on vacation when he meet me. Wish you all the best in your coming retirement sir. God bless

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