By Kevin Clarke, Gleaner WriterTWENTY FOUR persons were sworn in as Justices of the Peace (JPs) at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple on Windward Road, East Kingston on Tuesday by Custos of St Andrew, Dr. Carmen Stewart.
Among those inducted were CARICOM Ambassador, Peter Black, Director of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Elinor Felix, Millicent Blair, wife of Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, and Ambassador Alvin Williams.
The Inductees, their families, friends and well-wishers heard from Clover Thompson Vice-President of the Commonwealth Magistrates & Judges Association, Steve Ashley, President of the St Andrew Lay Magistrates Association and Noel Irvine, Principal/Director Justice Training Institute, who was the guest speaker at the function.
In his address, Mr Irvine congratulated the new JPs and reminded them that their oath is to give service to their parish and Country. He told them, "You must be prepared to function by example," adding that they should always strive to be just.
Custos Stewart said that the JPs role is very expansive. "It is very relevant, it is well needed, because of the areas that the JP covers. I think one of the areas that they are going to be even more useful is in the area of mediation," she said.
"What I would hope is that the justices would make themselves known," she told The Gleaner. This is very important, she said, as sometimes members of the public complained about their unavailability.
Mr. Ashley, in his comments, encouraged all new JPs to become members of the Lay Magistrates Association.
They were presented with Bibles,
courtesy of Word Time Ministries International, whose President Robert Micheal Shurton, was also inducted.
