JPs Encouraged to Take Advantage of Training

Justices of the peace (JPs) are being encouraged to take advantage of training being provided by the Government to better equip them to carry out their roles.

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, who made the call at the swearing-in ceremony for 53 new JPs for St. Andrew at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Sunday (June 3), said they have a very important role to play in assisting the justice system.

“I expect that you will engage in additional training. I hope many of you get additional training to become lay magistrates,” he said.

He noted that they will be called upon to attend training in mediation and restorative justice.

“Once you’re a justice of the peace, we’re going to pay for you to become a mediator, so you don’t have to find the $90,000. We will find it, and you can go and get the training to become a mediator.

“We also want you to be trained in restorative justice. You have heard the term, but we want you to go through additional training of becoming a restorative justice facilitator, because as a facilitator, when things go wrong, how do you restore the original position?” he said.

Mr. Chuck further told the newly appointed JPs that they will be equipped to help with child-diversion cases.

“We will have, shortly, as soon as the Act is passed in the Senate, child diversion, because we want to keep youngsters, under the age of 17… from the formal system, and your assistance will be needed,” he said.

“If the judge believes it is appropriate, they will refer the child, the offender, and sometimes the victim, to you, a justice of the peace, to see how you can assist that child,” he noted.

Minister Chuck commended the new appointees for coming forward to offer their service.

“This is a call to work. It is a call to help Jamaica. It is a call to you to step forward and play your part in nation-building,” he said.