OCA Hosts Training Seminars to Promote Child Justice Guidelines

Approximately 50 police personnel and Justices of the Peace, from St. Ann and St. Mary, are taking part in the third in a series of training seminars, staged by the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), to promote and highlight its publication, ‘Child Justice Guidelines’.

According to Manager for Public Education and Special Projects at the OCA, Nicole Hayles, the agency is very proud of the publication, which is a pioneering work.

She noted that the handbook, which was launched on Universal Children’s Day, November 20, 2013, is the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, and Latin America.

The publication contains procedural guidelines aimed at ensuring that the rights and best interest of children, who come in contact or is in conflict with the law, are upheld and observed at all times.

In the handbook’s foreword, Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla declares her support for the document, describing it as most timely.

“The focus it has placed on dealing with children in conflict with the law, child victims, witnesses and children deemed to be uncontrollable or in need of care and protection will undoubtedly assist in furthering the objectives of the laws that have been enacted to protect and safeguard the rights of our children,” the Chief Justice notes.

“I encourage all those who interact with children in our justice system on a regular basis to familiarize themselves with the contents of this important guide, as we work towards improving child justice in Jamaica,” she continues.

In bringing greetings at the opening ceremony of the third training seminar, being held at the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach and Golf Resort from April 16 to 17, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Charge of Area Two, Elan Powell, pledged the full support of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

He described the handbook as most timely and relevant, as there is effort to address the concerns, and some of the nuances affecting the justice system, particularly in relation to children.

The two previous training seminars targeted personnel in Kingston, and St. Andrew; and St. Catherine, and Clarendon respectively.