JPs Urged To Serve With Integrity

Executive Director of National Integrity Action (NIA), Professor Trevor Munroe, is imploring the island’s Justices of the Peace (JPs) to carry out their duties with integrity.

“For the Governor-General to commission you, you are required to be a person of unquestionable integrity, and I urge you to live up to that obligation.

“Remember the National Pledge, because when we say it, we make a promise – a promise to stand up for justice, brotherhood and peace,” Professor Munroe said.

He was addressing a recent JP sensitisation session hosted by the Ministry of Justice at the Courtyard by Marriott in New Kingston.

The NMIA head further urged JPs to report all forms of corruption.

“It cannot be that those who are in breach of the law at the grassroots level continue to face justice as they should, but those who are at a higher level in society, or are well connected, never seem to go before the courts and face the same justice. This has to stop, or the rule of law will be undermined and there will be increased disorder in our society,” he said.

Professor Munroe also reminded them to avoid partisan politics, noting that Section 2c of the JP Code of Conduct stipulates that at all times they “must act within the public’s interest without fear or favour and avoid partisan political influence”.

He said that under section 4d of the Code of Conduct, JPs must serve their communities without fear of criticism or partisan interests.