JPs urged to resist bribery temptation in duty

Newly commissioned justices of the peace (JP) for Kingston are being encouraged to uphold the highest standard of integrity and to seek guidance from experienced mentors as they carry out their duties in service of the public.

Addressing the more than 70 JPs yesterday, former Director of Public Prosecution Paula Llewellyn urged them to give of their best in the execution of their duties.

“You will face temptations to do the wrong thing, you will face frustration because you have to deal with the human condition and it is not easy, you will face challenges and the vicissitudes of life, which are the inevitable consequence of the process of living,” she said.

She noted that a JP, who is a voluntary judicial officer appointed to uphold citizens’ rights, authenticate documents, and provide community-level legal assistance, does not get any remuneration, unlike other public servants.

This fact, she said, requires them to be even more vigilant.

“Be very self-aware and assess persons who may be talking to you in codes. Be aware of what they are saying, but be very self-aware of what they are not saying. They are leaving you to telepathically pick it up. Do not go in that direction because the same person who attempts to bribe you or to bribe you or to give you some sort of remuneration is the same person to go and tell either a police officer, a lawyer,” she said.

“Your country needs you to be one of the good men and women ... who will stand up and be counted when it comes to integrity,” she added, emphasising that their reputation would be their greatest non-depreciating asset.

Meanwhile, Steadman Fuller, custos rotulorum of Kingston, stressed that the commissioning was not about recognition but a call to service.

“In Jamaica, sometimes we feel and place a lot of emphasis on titles, we like the sound of them, and we like how they look behind our names, and if we are not careful, we can begin to see the title as our achievement,” he said.

He told the JPs that they were the foundation of Jamaica’s justice system and their impact should not be underestimated.

“Long before a matter reaches the courtroom, it often passes through the hands of a justice of the peace. Long before a citizen encounters a judge, they may very well encounter you,” he said.

“This role cannot be reduced to signing a few documents from time to time. You are now expected to be examples of fairness, of discipline, of good conduct,” he added.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com