St. Catherine Justice of the Peace Association officially launched

It will also seek to enhance the integrity, moral status, and historical traditions of the Office of the JP, by upgrading the skills and competencies of its members, so they can perform effectively.

During the recent launch, held at the Family of God Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spanish Town, in the parish, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, in a message read by Custos of St. Catherine, Hon. Icylin Golding, said the work of JPs is critical to the “successful operation” of the justice system.

“I am pleased that a way has been found for all Justices of the Peace to work together in harmony for the betterment of the parish, and it will be the main administrative body of the JPs in the parish. This body subsumes any other existing bodies,” he said.

The group’s objectives include the dissemination of information concerning subjects that have an important bearing on the general welfare of the community, especially on society’s responsibility in the prevention and suppression of crime; the treatment of criminal offences; and to take corrective action.

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, hailed the coming together of the members to form the Association to make a difference in St. Catherine.

“When you collectively work together, when you are properly organised, you can make a big difference,” the Minister said.

Mr. Chuck said he expects all the JPs to be “proactive in real contribution to their communities, to bring peace and justice”.

For her part, the Custos said that two years ago, a mandate was given to the JPs to establish the Association.

“A new wave of energy is coming from Justices of the Peace, and getting on board to be trained more, and serve in various capacities,” the Custos said, adding that a user-friendly website has been established for the Association.

She noted that JPs have been “extending” themselves more in their service to communities.

Interim Chairman of the Association, Christopher Wright, said the group is committed to providing “suitable fora” for JPs to deliberate and set plans for continuous training for “our members to develop and deliver quality service”.

“I urge you all to capitalise on these training sessions, so that we can perform effectively,” Mr. Wright added.

Addressing the gathering, President of the Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Everett Brown, said JPs are in society to serve, and to transform communities.

“God has placed us here to make a difference, and I regard it not only as a national responsibility but as a God-given opportunity to effect positive change in the lives of those who we are called to serve, and we can only make a difference when we mingle with people. Be agents of hope, and change. We have a service to offer, and we must do it with passion,” the Pastor said.

JPs are characterised by the Ministry of Justice, as “persons of unquestionable” integrity who seek to promote and protect the rights of individuals and help to give justice to those persons in a particular community.

Consequently, they can serve as a Justice in petty court sessions, attend juvenile court sessions, issue summonses, consider applications for bail, sit on licensing panels, and give counsel or advice.

To strengthen the presence of JPs, the Government has amended the Justices of the Peace (Official Seals) Regulations, 2004 to allow for new seals that have ‘Jamaica’ engraved instead of the parish names. This means a JP can perform services, except for those of a Lay Magistrate, across Jamaica, instead of being restricted to his or her own parish.

The office of a JP is a voluntary one, and a JP must not charge or accept any reward for services performed in this capacity. JPs are not usually required to have a formal legal education to qualify for the office. However, every JP is expected to complete a period of training before he/she is commissioned into office. JPs are governed by a code of conduct.

Any citizen, club, organisation or other such body or enterprise may recommend that an individual be appointed a JP. The recommendation must be made to the Custos of the parish in which the individual resides. Having received the recommendation, the Custos will then instruct that enquiry be made into the background of the person so recommended. This is a precautionary measure to ensure that the individual under consideration is suitable for the position of a JP.