Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has called for justices of the peace across the island to maintain a strong and organised front through the collaborative efforts fostered by JP associations.

Chuck, who was the guest speaker at the St Elizabeth JP Association’s inaugural awards banquet on July 13, lauded the entity for its role in upholding the duties of the office and strengthened the call for all JPs and other public service providers, to ensure good customer service practices are maintained while exercising their duties.

“Individually, JPs do so much, but collectively you can do much more. It is always useful when JPs work together and I really believe that JP associations should be the think tanks in the parishes. We really want you to be well organised, coordinated,” Minister Chuck stated at the banquet held at the Tropics View Hotel in Manchester.

He continued, “service must be provided satisfactorily better, so that the people of Jamaica can feel, that they are treated courteously, diligently, speedily…I ask you JPs in the same way, even though it is voluntary, when you provide justice services, do so to the best of your ability.”  

While underscoring the importance of high quality and effective service, Chuck reiterated the ministry’s commitment to consistently providing first class service and commended St Elizabeth for being the top performing parish to get cases completed in the courts.

With the establishment of JP associations to strengthen the work of the JPs across the island, the minister also encouraged JPs to take their role seriously.

“We really want the associations to get all JPs to really work closely with the custodes, to work for the parish, to organise and to be not only the representative of the Ministry of Justice, but to be that person to whom the citizens can come to when they need information, especially on justice matters.” he said

Last financial year, the Ministry of Justice authorised the establishment of JP associations across the island. To strengthen their impact as they carry out their roles, justices of the peace have been consistently engaged in sensitisation sessions, held to equip them with the requisite knowledge on justice-related matters and improve their abilities to undertake their tasks.