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JPs urged to avoid corruption

Published:Friday | December 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Hugh Sandford (left) and Yvonne McLeod-Myrie wait with the National Commercial Bank's Rickert Allen, one of the 106 new justices of the peace.
New justices of the peace for St Andrew battle the morning sun as they wait to be commissioned into service at the Mona Visitor's Lodge on Sunday. - Photos by Barbara Ellington
Ambassador Stewart Stephenson (left) and The Gleaner's George Stephens, two of the newly commissioned justices of the peace pose for the camera as they wait to be commissioned on Sunday at the Mona Visitor's Lodge.
Proud father and Civil Registrar Silvera Castro with his daughter Jillian Castro, one of the youngest justices of the peace who were sworn in at Medallion Hall Hotel in St Andrew last week Wednesday. Her commissioning was on Sunday. - Contributed
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Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has called on justices of the peace (JPs), to be beacons of honesty, integrity, credibility and fair play. He was addressing the 106 newly commissioned JPs in a ceremony at the Mona Visitor's Lodge in Mona, St Andrew, on Sunday. Held under the distinguished patronage of St Andrew Custos Marigold Harding, it was also the occasion to present awards to members of the St Andrew Lay Magistrates' Association who had given long service to the organisation.

"I see no reason why we cannot have honest, trustworthy justices of the peace serving Jamaica," Chuck told the JPs as he continued. "We need several more to serve, but we cannot sacrifice quality for quantity and I want the day to come when we can de-commission JPs who have breached the code. There must be a way to do this, because we have to protect the image of our JPs," he said.

Chuck told the large group of well-wishers who had come out in support of the new JPs that he is calling on them to support their loved ones by encouraging them to put extra effort into promoting peace and harmony in their communities and to conduct themselves in such a manner that they are looked upon as role models in the society. "Remember the importance of the name - justice of the peace - it means that you are to promote peace and harmony in your communities."

Guest speaker Chief Justice Zaila McCalla congratulated the new JPs for committing to do something to positively impact the lives of their fellow citizens. "You are an integral part of the justice system, so you are to keep abreast of the new laws. Ongoing training is as important as common sense and experience, so continue to take your duties seriously and do your part to stamp out corruption. We need more persons like you, and you should challenge yourselves to exhibit decency and integrity," McCalla said.

She reminded the new JPs that, "Your service is priceless and you should keep it so". In a very wide-ranging address in which she pledged to them the full support of the judiciary, the chief justice reminded the group to vet documents carefully before signing them, strengthen those who are weak, and resist all forces of evil.

Guests

Many well-known faces were among the 106 who were commissioned on Sunday. They include Rickert G. Allen of the National Commercial Bank; Member of Parliament Dr St Aubyn Bartlett; Tastey Blackman; Jillian Castro; educator Dr Curline Christie; Laurel deMercado; The Gleaner's Barbara Ellington George Stephens and Michael Lee; Scarlett Gillings of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund; Phillip Henriques of the CHASE Fund; businesswoman Sharon Hughsan-Loshusan; the National Housing Trust's Dr Lanie-Marie Oakley-Williams; businesswoman Lorraine Ross-Clunie; trade unionist Danny Roberts; Ambassador Stewart Stephenson; Rhena Williams and William Tavares-Finson.