THIRTY-FIVE NEW Justices of the Peace (JPs) for St. Andrew were on Tuesday mandated to uphold and uplift the esteemed calling.
The Lay Magistrates were sworn into office in a civic ceremony at the Medallion Hall Hotel in St. Andrew.
Rev. Dr. Artnel Henry, JP, asked the Justices of the Peace to be careful in administering their duties. He said JPs who were appointed to serve in the parish of St. Andrew 50 years ago did not operate in the kind of atmosphere that today's JP has to contend with.
MAKE HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS
"If you are going to do justice to your job, you have to be careful ... it is based on your recommendation that a person is accepted or rejected," Rev. Dr. Henry said.
He added that, if the person being recommended is not as honest as perceived, then the reputation of the Justice of the Peace would come into disrepute.
Bishop Dr. Carmen Stewart, Custos Rotulorum for St. Andrew, added that the office of the JP is a community.
WILLING INSTRUMENTS
"JPs are required to make their communities what they ought to be. There is work that needs to be done ... you who are here are willing to go forward and do this work," Bishop Stewart said.
She added that it does not mean that the JP must act negligently or carelessly in the use and protection of the JP's Instruments of Office.
"The JP and the Lay Magistrates of St. Andrew should be knowledgeable, experienced and wise to conduct their duties efficiently, " Bishop Stewart said.
