Sixty-one people were sworn in as Justices of the Peace in St Ann at a ceremony Tuesday, August 14. The ceremony was held at Jewel Dunn’s River Resort and Spa in Mammee Bay, St. Ann.
The 29 men and 32 women took the Oath of Office before Custos for St. Ann, Norma Walters at ceremony attended by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck and former Chief Justice Zalia McCalla. There are now 417 serving JPs in St Ann.
In his address, Mr Chuck, charged the newly commissioned JPs to maintain an “impeccable character,” as they aid in solving the nation’s issues.“We want persons of unimpeachable integrity, persons who, regardless of the challenges, petition, and pleas for your assistance, if you know it isn’t right, you stand firm and say no. [It is] very important that you should be of unquestionable integrity, and at the same time as a Justice of the Peace, I expect that you should be persons of impeccable character,” he said.
Mr. Chuck reminded the JPs that they should not see themselves as serving only the parish of St. Ann, but all of Jamaica as stipulated by the new Justices of the Peace Act 2018.
He reiterated that the Ministry of Justice is on a drive to increase the number of JPs islandwide, with the aim of having over 1,000 per parish.
The Minister said the increase will help to ease the burden on the justice system by diverting matters from the courts to be dealt with through mediation, spearheaded by JPs.
In the meantime, retired Chief Justice, Zaila McCalla, commended the newly commissioned JPs for having taken the “bold step to volunteer and make yourselves available to serve.”
She told the group that “your appointment will contribute greatly to the improvement of our justice system,” and encouraged them to avail themselves for further training.
