More Training for Justices of the Peace

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says Justices of the Peace (JPs) will be required to participate in more training sessions in order to strengthen their effectiveness.

“We are looking at the probability that we will have at least four training sessions per year for all the JPs and you should attend at least one for you to be empowered even more,” he said.

He was addressing a ceremony for the commissioning of JPs for St. Catherine, at the Phillippo Baptist Church on Thursday, June 30.

Mr. Chuck said the training sessions will be facilitated throughout the island and will focus on the areas of child diversion, child justice, restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution.

He noted that it is especially important that the JPs are trained in mediation, “because if you get (that) training, then it means that many of the conflicts that often result in violence can be stopped before they reach the point of physical abuse and physical attack”.

The Minister said JPs could also be trained to assist Lay Magistrates in the fulfilment of their duties.

In the meantime, Mr. Chuck thanked the newly commissioned JPs for volunteering to serve their fellow citizens and encouraged them to seek to make a difference by helping to restore law and order in the communities where they serve.

“It means that you will have to start working even harder with the police, with the Custos to bring crime down even further in the communities that you represent and in which you live,” he said.

He reminded them that the title of JP “is not only for status”, but it means that “you must restore and ensure that peace exists in your community”.The Minister suggested that the JPs stage regular community meetings where they invite the superintendent or sergeant of police “to come and interact with all the people in your district or your area where you live. When you do so, you can forge peace”.