MONTEGO BAY, St James — Ever since he became custos of St James in 2018, Bishop Conrad Pitkin has dreamed of a website for the office. The goal is to provide useful content, in an easy-to-access format, for justices of the peace (JPs) and members of the public who seek out their services.

Finally, the website will be launched today.

“I saw the need for us to have our JPs in St James have access readily to all information pertaining to the office of the justice of the peace. It is something that has been in train, and during discussions JPs decided that they would build and commission it as a gift to the office of the custos,” Bishop Pitkin told the Jamaica Observer.

The website will include an application form for individuals interested in becoming JPs, guidelines for an annual report, as well as legislation that will guide them in performing their duties. These include the JP Act, the Bail Act and more.

“All the necessary pieces of legislation and other documents regarding the offices of the justices of the peace and other legislation that they need to be au fait with, they will have access to,” according to Bishop Pitkin who said the new website is timely.

The role and responsibility of JPs has been in the spotlight recently after a video, widely available on social media, showed a group of JPs interacting with murder accused Rushane Barnett.

The 23-year-old was asked to remove his clothing so that those present could determine if his body bore evidence of a beating he alleged that he received while incarcerated. Barnett has been charged with five counts of murder in connection with the slaying of a mother and her four children.

Some have argued that the recording of the video, said to have made its way into the public domain because of an error, is out of step with the approved modus operandi in the execution of duties under the Justices of the Peace Act (2018).

On Thursday, Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck announced that a committee had been appointed to investigate the matter.

According to Chuck, the investigation is to determine if there were any breaches by the JPs, and if yes, to recommend what action should be taken.

The committee is to report within four weeks to the relevant custodes and the minister of justice.

The report will guide the conduct of JPs when seeking to protect the rights and dignity of persons in custody.

When asked for his views on the issue, Bishop Pitkin noted that while St James has not had a similar situation in the past, proper training, the observance of established guidelines and instructions are invaluable in keeping his JPs in check.

“I am very current on [the] training of my justices of the peace and making sure that persons who serve in sensitive areas are properly instructed and given guidelines,” he told the Observer.