Trelawny Custos eying some 80 new JPs

WESTERN BUREAU:

Trelawny could see the number of justices of the peace in the parish increasing. With Custos Paul Muschette only appointing 30 new justices since taking office in 2010, expectations are that a number of new justices of the peace will be brought on board in 2017.

"Presently, 40 persons are being processed, and I have another 20 who have applied, and the necessary process to have them become justices is being conducted," Muschette told The Gleaner in a recent interview.

At the time, the Trelawny Custos said he would be targeting schoolteachers, health-care workers and ministers of religion as suitable persons to serve as justices. In addition, he was encouraging persons in the 20-40-year-old age group to apply to serve as justices of the peace. He said he was aware that there are areas within the parish which are inadequately served and he would be making an effort to rectify this situation as he aimed to induct at least 80 new persons.

Ken Grant, a senior justice of the peace based in south Trelawny, is quite elated with the news that the cadre of justices of the peace was poised to be increased.

"There are some justices who are just happy to have the title behind their names, but fail to provide the services they swore to provide. This places added burden on those of us who are willing to serve. For example, there are justices who agree to serve at Petty Sessions Court and fail to show," said Grant.

When The Gleaner sought a comment from Reverend Owen Watson, the last president of the Trelawny Association of Lay Magistrates, he said he had just resigned from the position and was in the process of getting the resignation letter to the custos. He, nonetheless, indicated that he planned to remain as a justice of the peace.