Residents in the parish of St Catherine will now have greater access to the services of a justice of the peace following the commissioning of 93 civic-minded Jamaicans on Thursday, August 10.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, Custos Rotulorum of St Catherine Icylin Golding, Karen Campbell-Bascoe, director of the Justice Training Institute, acting divisional commander for the St Catherine South Division, Hopeton Nicholson; and Grace Ann McFarlane, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, were among the attendees to witness the 93 volunteers take the oath of officer during the commissioning ceremony.

The custos, in her remarks, said that the additional 93 JPs will allow citizens to access the services more readily.

“Today is a happy day. I say this to say that I am happy for the communities across the parish where citizens can more easily access the services of a justice of the peace today. Now that 93 more justices of the peace will spread across the length and breadth of this parish, not only signing documents but going out in the communities and engaging the citizens more. Let me warn you, let me tell you that this parish is very serious about the services that are offered to the citizens of this country and as volunteers were are also aware of your commitments but we are sure that this added responsibility will enhance the services you wish to offer,” she said.

The custos also charged the JPs to perform their role with the highest integrity and with a kind heart.

Acting divisional commander for the St Catherine South Division, Hopeton Nicholson, lauded the efforts of the JPs in St Catherine for the vital role they play in society.

“Today, the St Catherine South Police Division is pleased to be a part of this service, as one of our pillars which we strive to live by and aim to serve the people of this division and by extension Jamaica, is to have genuine stakeholder engagement. We see the Justices of the Peace as one such group, a very important group as one of our stakeholders. We have had a very good relationship and it’s not just to sign documents but to aid in my community initiatives,” Nicholson said.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck urged the newly minted JPs to act in accordance with the interest of justice and bring peace to their communities.

“I beg you newly minted Justices of the Peace, act with humility, far too many JPs because they have now been empowered, they have now been commissioned, they want to tell people to respect me now, I am a JP. They go to the police station or to the bank, I am a JP and expect better treatment. If you want respect, if you want appreciation you must act to deserve it,” he said.

He urged the JPs to be individuals of unquestionable integrity who seek to promote and protect the rights of individuals.

More than 9,000 justices of the peace have been appointed islandwide.