South Australia Police are the organisers of this world class and exciting Commonwealth Bank Police Tattoo. Our objectives are simple ‘cover costs only”. This allows us to provide tickets at very affordable prices.

Many Tattoos are held throughout the European Countries, United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom. Unfortunately Australia, due to its isolation, rarely sees world class Tattoos.
A Police Tattoo provides Australians (and in particular South Australians) the opportunity to experience the music and pageantry of world class Police Bands.

The origin of musical tattoos dates to 17th century Holland when British troops were billeted with local townspeople. The troops found distraction in ale houses and taverns. Each evening, when it was time for the troops to return to barracks, a drummer would march through the streets, calling for innkeepers to turn off the beer taps. In Flemish, the command was “doe den tap toe”, abbreviated by the troops to “tap toe” and later further Anglicised to “tattoo”.
The tattoo became a source of regimental pride, with additional military musicians entertaining before the close of trading.
Rivalry saw standards of presentation and musicianship improve, evolving into today’s spectacular tattoos.

To our knowledge South Australia is unique in providing the only International Police Tattoo in the world.
As part of South Australia’s Centenary of Federation celebrations in 2001 an International Police Tattoo was hosted in Adelaide, South Australia. South Australia Police is now staging its fourth Police Tattoo.
South Australia continues to be world leaders in not only Police supporting world class events but staging its own world class event.

Just as a Police Tattoo is well acknowledged for bringing police together from around the world, it also serves to unite local communities and visitors. Perhaps it’s the similarities of our global community, expressed in the universal and unique language of the Police Tattoo, which provides the magic that makes the event so enjoyable.
This is a special opportunity for South Australians and visitors to Australia’s most gracious city to appreciate another element of our talented and professional police service.
A Police Tattoo also highlights South Australia as a great place to live, visit and do business.