St James’ custos says reason some JPs being decommished is ‘embarrassing’
Published:Thursday | February 5, 2026 | 12:12 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Bishop Conrad Pitkin, custos of S James, is warning justices of the peace (JPs) in that parish that he will personally seek to have them decommissioned if he finds out they have brought the office into disrepute.
Speaking at a recent commissioning of 28 new JPs in St James, Pitkin said he was embarrassed whenever news emerged that a JP had been decommissioned because of dishonourable conduct, including seeking or accepting payment for what is supposed to be a voluntary service.
“Every now and then you see something in The Gleaner, that a JP was decommissioned, and it is embarrassing why they were decommissioned,” said Pitkin.
“It is for accepting payment, which I call bribes, to sign a document, when you promised that you would never do such a thing. In my sojourn [as custos], we have not decommissioned anyone in St James for that, but it might just well be happening, but the custos just has not found out yet.
“The day it comes to light, be assured that the custos will be penning the letter to the minister [of justice and constitutional affairs] to ask His Excellency [Governor General Sir Patrick Allen] to do us the honourable favour of removing such names from our honoured role in this parish. May I remind you, the office of the JP brings satisfaction for service, not financial reward,” he added.
Over recent years, there have been numerous reports of JPs across Jamaica, including in St James, receiving or requesting financial contributions and other rewards in exchange for their services, which include signing documents for people they do not know. In August 2024, two JPs in Manchester were decommissioned after being accused of charging fees for their services.
Section 15 of the Justice of the Peace Act 2018 states that a JP must carry out the functions of the office free of charge. The code of conduct under the Act forbids any holder of the office of a JP to use that title to secure personal financial benefit, or to participate in any activity that is unlawful or would bring the office into disrepute.
Pitkin urged the newly appointed JPs not to use the office to promote any legitimate businesses they operate, and that they must be available to serve citizens at all times.
“Do not put any sign in your office to say that you only sign documents between 12:00 and 12:30, because if I am told that it is there, I shall pay you a visit and I will personally take it off the wall and, with courtesy, hand it to you. If you are a businessperson, do not tell any person that comes to you that you have to make a sale before you sign a document, because you are tactfully indicating to that person that they must buy something before you can sign or authenticate a document,” said Pitkin.
“Too often, persons complain that there are no JPs in their communities. In the interview, you are not asked about your availability where you work, but you are asked about your availability where you live and how accessible you would be,” Pitkin continued. “We have enough JPs in this parish for citizens to be able to find one, so I am going to ask you, do not wait for people to come find you, but announce yourself that you are a new JP in the community in which you live.”