JPs Urged to Respect and Protect Office

National President of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica, Calvin Lyn, has called on Justices of the Peace (JPs) to respect the office and protect the office.
“As Justices of the Peace, we must consider that many persons around us saw it fit to recommend us for this position; therefore we should not only honour it, but we should also treasure the office,” he said.
Mr. Lyn was addressing the 20th Annual General Meeting of the St. James Chapter of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica, held at the Montego Bay Civic Centre on July 24.
“Let us also recognize that we have an integral role to play in the dispensation of justice, hence I urge you all to encourage citizens across your communities to co-operate with the police. We must encourage citizens to help the police fight crime by giving information when necessary in order for the perpetrators of criminal activities to be brought to justice,” he told the JPs.
Mr. Lyn reiterated the critical importance of training for JPs and reminded his colleagues that it is now mandatory that persons to be considered for this position receive training before they are commissioned. “It is a known fact in Jamaica today that those persons who will be considered for commissioning to serve (as Justices of the Peace), be trained prior to being commissioned, and this is mandatory. Post commissioning training is an on-going process and all JPs should be a part of this, in order for them to keep abreast of the laws, principles and procedures governing that noble office,” he said.
In his address to members of the association, Principal of Cornwall College and Regional Co-ordinator, Denham McIntyre, encouraged JPs to work hard and perform their duties well, despite the challenging and turbulent times.
“As Justices of the Peace, we must endeavour to perform our duties with integrity, commitment and justice. Our office should not be taken lightly and we should not regard it as another office. Perform your duties therefore with joy and alacrity,” Mr. McIntyre said.
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Enel Brydson, was elected President of the Lay Magistrates Association of St. James.