Report corrupt JPs, says LMAJ president

WESTERN BUREAU:

Errol Greene, president of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica (LMAJ), is urging citizens to immediately report any justices of the peace (JP) who breach the regulations of their appointed offices by charging for their services or preparing recommendations for people they do not know.

"The LMAJ is extremely concerned about the practice of JPs who charge unfortunate citizens for carrying out their services. We're also concerned about JPs who are preparing recommendations for persons they do not know and we're urging the public to bring it to the attention of the custos of your parish or to the LMAJ when these things happen," Greene told The Gleaner.

Greene was responding to a Sunday Gleaner story which reported that some JPs in Montego Bay, St James, have been operating out of the western city's Transport Authority post, accepting 'contributions' of $200 to sign documents for members of the public.

It was also reported that those JPs oftentimes direct the persons they serve to seek typing and printing services for documents at certain locations, with instructions to say that they are known to the JPs in order to receive the documents.

However, Greene condemned both practices, saying that they go against the training that all JPs receive prior to being sworn into office.

"Oftentimes persons of questionable character are being offered recommendations, and this is bringing the office of JPs into disrepute. This goes against the training that all JPs would have received and it goes against the code of conduct established for JPs," said Greene.

"The LMAJ would also want to remind all JPs that their services are free and strictly voluntary, and we're appealing to the public that if they are approached by a JP for payment for their services to immediately report the matter to the custos of the parish or to the LMAJ," he said.