KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Attorney-at-law, Donna Parchment Brown, was today sworn in as the island’s fourth political ombudsman.

Parchment Brown, who will serve for seven years, was also the custos rotulorum for the parish of St Andrew for nine months.

She is a dispute resolution specialist, who was called to the Bar more than 33 years ago and has served in both the private and public sectors.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at King’s House, Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, charged her to work to lift the tone and quality of the debate and conversation between the political parties.

“Engage them in those things, even as you mediate the challenges that may, from time to time, flare up in the political arena,” he said.

The governor-general said Parchment Brown is being given an awesome responsibility and the privilege of assisting in the progress and stabilisation of the country’s democracy. 

He added that she should work to strengthen values of integrity, fairness, transparency, and accountability in the political process.

The governor-general said that Parchment Brown, with her years of service and work in dispute resolution, has the “credibility” to get the job done. 

“As one who has served as a dispute resolution specialist, she brings to the job the vast experience which she has acquired over the years,” he pointed out.

“Jamaica stands to benefit from your experience, your expertise and all the acumen that you have acquired over the years,” the Governor-General told her.

He explained that as political ombudsman Parchment Brown will function as a mediator and facilitator to ensure the proper conduct of the political parties in accordance with the established codes.

“She will also monitor activities which constitute or are likely to constitute a breach of any agreement, code or arrangement between or among political parties in Jamaica, or anything that is likely to prejudice good relations between or among the supporters of the various political parties,” he added.

The governor-general thanked her for the role she played as Custos Rotulorum of St Andrew, noting that she performed “creditably.” 

In her response, Parchment Brown expressed gratitude for the privilege bestowed on her, and pledged to use her training as mediator and arbitrator to perform  her duties.

“I will try to ensure that where laws are at risk of being broken, where conventions and rules are at risk of being ignored and where harm is likely to occur, that as far as possible, I play both a preventive and a corrective role,” she told journalists.

The new ombudsman has earned national recognition for her work in dispute resolution and is the holder of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class.

Parchment Brown succeeds Bishop Herro Blair, who resigned in 2013.

Jamaica’s first Ombudsman was Resident Magistrate, Errington Green, who was appointed in 1977, and the second was Justice James Sewell Kerr, OJ, QC, appointed in 1988.  Bishop Herro Blair was appointed in 2002.

Among those present at the ceremony were: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A J Nicholson; Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell; Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla; Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Elinor Felix; as well as members of Parchment Brown’s family.

The Political Ombudsman is appointed by the Governor-General, after consultation with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.