Justices of the Peace Urged to Play Active Role in Jamaica’s Transformation

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has called on Justices of the Peace (JP) to play a more active role in the transformation of Jamaica.

“I need all of you (JPs) to become proactive advocates of the transformation that we need. This is a new day for Jamaica…it is a new day for our JPs and this is the time when we must enlarge the vision of who are JPs and what they do,” he stated.

The Governor-General was addressing Members of the Trelawny Lay Magistrates Association, during a special meeting on Tuesday, September 16, at the Retreat Heights Community Centre in the parish.

He noted that too often, “we have JPs who think that their job is simply to sign documents or to sign photographs. We are taking this time to speak to our JPs to help them to understand that to be a JP is much more than holding the title and signing documents,” he said.

He said that as “commissioned peace makers,” JPs have a key role to play in addressing crime and violence in the society.

He also encouraged them to provide support and encouragement to young people by getting involved in mentorship programmes.