Some JP roles to go, says Chuck
POINT, Hanover — Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has disclosed that, while the roles of justices of the peace (JPs) are to be expanded, some roles currently carried out by them will end soon.
Noting that the ultimate aim of a JP is to secure the peace, the minister said a number of roles will disappear when the National Identification System (NIDS) comes into effect.
“So, this present occupation where people see the JP signing documents, identifying persons, recommending persons is going to disappear and most of it will disappear when the national identification system comes into operation,” stated Chuck.
The minister said the unique new ID will make this possible by eliminating the need for verified identification.
“We are going to make it that when you have your ID, that ID is so unique, that when you present it to the bank, the bank will know it is you and no one else and therefore they must not ask a JP for any identification,” stated Chuck.
Similarly, among the current duties of a JP is to send to the social security ministry verification that an individual is still alive for pension payout. Chuck said this will no longer be the case under NIDS.
“Now, with the NIDS, the Registrar General will immediately, once the person dies, note that through the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) and therefore there is no need to determine if the person is alive or is dead because it will be notified at the NIRA.”
Chuck noted that while “a lot of the work that JPs are presently doing will disappear,” JPs will still be asked to make recommendations.
“Yes, you will be asked to make recommendations because sometimes employers need a recommendation from a justice of the peace,” stated Chuck who admitted that this is where there is far too much corruption.
“Justices of the peace giving recommendations for people that they don’t know but because the employer or the bank or whoever is asking for a recommendation, and plead with the JP, I only know you, I don’t know any other JP and many JPs yield, succumb and write this glowing recommendation. So, when an employee sees it, they have a recommendation from a justice of the peace [they] give the person a job. And take it from me, it has created many, many problems,” argued Chuck, who also implored JPs to be extremely careful in carrying out their jobs.
Chuck was addressing a commissioning ceremony for 45 justices of the peace for Hanover last Thursday. The ceremony was held at the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa located at Point in Hanover.
For his part, custos of Hanover Dr David Stair, under whose auspices the ceremony took place, charged the new JPs to take care in ensuring that they do not abuse their office.
“No, the title JP behind your name should not be taken lightly. It looks good on your CD and all of that but please do not abuse it. If you do, I will make certain that you lose it,” warned Dr Stair.
Meanwhile, similar to his colleague Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang in his address at a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new police station in Frome, Westmoreland, last week, Chuck has warned people who are making a fortune from lottery scamming that more extraditions are coming.
The commissioning ceremony was also addressed by senior parish judge for Hanover Natiesha Fairclough Hilton and commanding officer for Hanover, Superintendent Sharon Beeput.