Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Newly-appointed Justices of the Peace for St. Catherine read the pledge at a swearing-in ceremony held at Pleasant Farm Club in Linstead, St. Catherine, yesterday morning. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SIXTY-THREE Justices of the Peace (JPs) were sworn in at a ceremony in Linstead, St. Catherine, yesterday.
The JPs, who were drawn from the fields of religion, business, accounting, education and other professions, were sworn in by Custos Sophia Azan. She told them the challenge of being a JP was not an easy one. She implored them to be conscientious in carrying out their duties and urged them to make their offices ready to assist the public which they have sworn to serve.
"Above all, you should make integrity the hallmark of your performance," Custos Azan told them.
THE JOB WILL BE CHALLENGING
The addition of these JPs has increased the number in the parish of St. Catherine to 483. They were welcomed to the job by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, A.J. Nicholson, who told them that "the job will be challenging" and that he really appreciated how they had been promoted "to such a high status to serve people".
Custos Azan told The Gleaner that the new JPs would alleviate the shortage that the parish had been experiencing.
They were given their seals of approval, and collectively pledged their allegiance to serve, when they took an oath of office. One of the new JPs, Reverend Terrence Brown, told The Gleaner that he was honoured to be chosen. "It is a special feeling I have and I know it comes with more responsibility, but I will be discharging my service to the best of my knowledge and ability."
Other persons in attendance at yesterday's ceremony at the Pleasant Farm Club included Superintendent Kenneth Wade, head of the St. Catherine North Police; Robert Pickersgill, Member of Parliament for the area; attorney-at-law Herbert Bartholomew; Joseph Parker, president of the St. Catherine Chapter of Justices of the Peace; and Bishop Bradley Stewart.
