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Portland’s newly commissioned Justices of the Peace (JPs) received a strong directive from Justice Minister Delroy Chuck on Thursday: stay well-informed or risk misleading the public they serve.
“The last thing I want you to do is to misinform people,” Chuck told the 28 new JPs during their commissioning ceremony. “When you don’t know… you don’t know. But, at the very minimum, you must know how to know. In other words, you must know what to tell people about how they can get their information.”
The minister emphasized the importance of continuous learning and information-gathering for those serving in this critical community role. “You must get as well-informed as possible… and you’re not going to get well informed by just sitting and doing nothing. Leaders are readers. Get as much information as possible, so you’re a fountain of information,” he advised.
With these new appointments, Portland now has 308 active Justices of the Peace serving its communities. The Ministry of Justice has been working to support JPs through educational initiatives, including seminars and webinars, designed to keep them updated on their responsibilities and relevant legal matters.
Beyond technical knowledge, Chuck stressed that the position demands strong moral character. He reminded the new justices that their role requires “decency, civility, integrity and character” while encouraging them to continually strive for personal development.
Lincoln Thaxter, Custos Rotulorum for Portland, congratulated the new JPs for completing the required training and expressed confidence in their readiness to serve within the Portland Justices of the Peace Association. The commissioning ceremony marked the official beginning of their service to the parish.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Romeo Henry, representing the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Portland Division, highlighted the crucial relationship between JPs and law enforcement. “You are not going to be enforcers of law, but you are going to be that voice of reasoning in your communities,” Henry said. “You know the people, you can discern the people that are around you, those who are keener to commit crime and those persons who are involved in crime elsewhere. This is information that the police really need.”
The office of Justice of the Peace dates back to 14th century England, established in 1361, and has evolved into a position of significant community trust. JPs in Jamaica are selected based on their demonstrated integrity and commitment to protecting individual rights.
Their responsibilities extend far beyond document authentication. Jamaican JPs perform judicial functions in certain courts, serve in Children’s Court and Drug Court proceedings, consider bail applications, and provide counsel to community members. This broad mandate underscores why Minister Chuck placed such emphasis on the need for JPs to be well-informed.
The commissioning of new JPs comes as Jamaica continues efforts to strengthen its justice system and improve access to justice, particularly in rural parishes like Portland. JPs often serve as the first point of contact for citizens navigating legal matters, making their knowledge and integrity essential to community welfare.
As volunteer public servants, JPs receive no compensation for their duties, highlighting the civic-minded nature of those who accept the position. Their willingness to serve exemplifies community leadership that bridges the gap between government institutions and ordinary citizens.
The Minister’s advice to the new Portland JPs reflects a broader emphasis on accountability and professionalism in Jamaica’s justice system, reinforcing the critical role these community leaders play in maintaining public trust and ensuring access to justice across the island.
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22 Comments
Staying informed and being a ‘fountain of information’ is so important for community leaders like JPs. Kudos to the Minister for emphasizing continuous learning – it’s the only way to combat misinformation effectively.
Absolutely. Proactive information-gathering and transparent sharing are key for building trust in local institutions.
Misinformation is a serious concern, so I’m glad the Chief Justice is taking a proactive stance. Empowering JPs to be ‘fountains of information’ is a smart approach.
Absolutely. Building a well-informed local justice system is key to maintaining public trust and combating the spread of misinformation.
Curious to learn more about the specific educational initiatives the Ministry of Justice is offering. Webinars and seminars sound like a great way to keep JPs up-to-date on evolving legal matters.
Yes, I’d be interested in the curriculum and format of those training programs. Equipping JPs with the right knowledge is essential.
It’s great to see the government taking concrete steps to support JPs through ongoing education and training. Keeping community leaders well-informed is crucial for effective public service.
Absolutely. Continuous professional development is essential for ensuring JPs can fulfill their responsibilities with confidence and integrity.
The Chief Justice’s emphasis on JPs needing to ‘know how to know’ is a really important point. Equipping them with the skills to identify credible information sources is crucial.
Agreed. In an age of misinformation, teaching JPs how to discern fact from fiction is an essential part of their training.
It’s reassuring to see the government taking steps to support JPs through education and training. Having a well-informed local justice system is critical for maintaining public confidence.
Agreed. Investing in the professional development of JPs is a smart move to ensure they can fulfill their important role effectively.
The emphasis on JPs needing to know ‘what to tell people about how they can get their information’ is a smart approach. Equipping them to direct the public to reliable sources is key.
Agreed. In an age of misinformation, teaching JPs how to point people to credible information is a critical skill.
Kudos to the Chief Justice for underscoring the importance of JPs being ‘fountains of information’ rather than sources of misinformation. This is an important distinction for community leaders.
Absolutely. Promoting accurate, fact-based information is essential for maintaining public trust in local institutions like the justice system.
The emphasis on continuous learning and information-gathering for JPs is really admirable. Staying up-to-date on legal matters and responsibilities is crucial for effective community service.
Agreed. It’s great to see the government investing in the professional development of JPs to ensure they can fulfill their duties with confidence and integrity.
Interesting to see the government’s efforts to support JPs through educational initiatives. Keeping local justice officials well-informed is critical for maintaining public trust.
Absolutely. Investing in the professional development of JPs is a smart move to ensure they can fulfill their important role effectively.
The Chief Justice’s directive for JPs to ‘get as well-informed as possible’ is spot on. Staying up-to-date on legal matters and information sources is key for combating misinformation.
Agreed. Proactive learning and information-gathering should be a top priority for community leaders like JPs.