On the Corner | 'Bottom Drewsland' needs a JP

For more than a decade, residents of Davidson Avenue and surrounding areas in the section of Drewsland which houses the football field, have lived without a justice of the peace (JP) in their midst. Now they say this is making their lives miserable when they are seeking to access the services of a JP.

"When we as citizens live here and have any form of document to sign, we don't have even one JP to sign it. You have a lady up by Drewsland top (Headley Avenue), and when you have an emergency and want a paper to sign, she is not doing it," Sonia Lettman declared at a Gleaner/RISE Life Management On the Corner forum in the community last Monday.

"Come on, man, we are citizens, we are human beings. Not because gun might be firing, is not everybody firing guns. We need somebody to look out for us.

"We were told that Patrick Roberts is the councillor and the JP. Where can we find Patrick?" added Lettman.

Other residents who turned out at the forum held at 'Romie's Corner' in the community, argued that reaching Roberts' constituency office in a neighbouring community could require venturing into areas where they might not be welcome.

In need of representation

According to the residents, if a member of the community is arrested and needs representation, they have no choice but to contact an elder neighbour, Clyde Duncan, to represent them.

But Duncan, affectionately called 'Romie', cannot sign documents as he is not a JP, and while his neighbours believe he would be ideal to serve in that role, he is unsure of how to become a JP.

"I would do it. I don't too understand it, but I would do it if I get the full understanding of it," said Duncan, who also expressed concern about how his decision to serve as a JP would inconvenience his family.

"Nobody likes to be bothered," interjected a male participant, launching the rest of the forum into a chorus.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com

- How is a justice of the peace selected? 

Any citizen, club, organisation or other such body or enterprise may recommend that an individual be appointed a JP. The recommendation must be made to the custos of the parish in which the individual resides.

Having received this recommendation, the custos will then instruct that enquiries be made into the background of the person so recommended. This is a precautionary measure to ensure that the individual under consideration is suitable for the position of a JP.

Every parish has an Advisory Committee which deliberates and selects persons deemed to be qualified to become justices of the peace.

It is made up of the Custos, a Resident Magistrate and a superintendent of police, and is constantly reviewing the requirements of each community to ensure that there are enough JPs to meet the needs of the community.

The custos submits the names of persons approved by the Advisory Committee to the minister of justice who has responsibility for making recommendations to the governor general.

Criteria for appointment as a justice of the peace

- Be a Jamaican citizen who is resident in Jamaica at the time of appointment, and is able to read and speak English fluently.

- Be between the ages of 25-70 years.

- Be a person of unquestionable integrity and who commands the respect and confidence of the local community.

- Be a person who has given good service to the community and the wider Jamaica, and who demonstrates the potential for continued service.

- Be able to communicate and interact at all levels and with all types of individuals in his/her community.