THE long-awaited meeting with the Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force was held on Friday May 29, 2009 at the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

The President of the JP Association, Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh, along with four others, discussed a wide range of matters of concern to the association which included:

(a) The need for a proper understanding by JPs on the role and functions as outlined in the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates’) Act Chapter… Sections 14 to 20.

(b) The significance of on-going training of JPs in order to improve their individual competence and quality of service to the public.

(c) The enhancement of the professionalism of JPs.

(d) The need for changes in the traditional role of the Police Force in the maintenance of law and order in the light of the escalating crime wave throughout the country.

(e) Forging a realistic police/JP relationship in the various magisterial districts for better service to the communities.

(f) JPs playing a more meaningful part in family counselling and in sensitisation of the public as to the Police Act and also to highlight the rights of individual as enshrined in the Constitution.

(g) The community-based meditation involving JPs as a means to deal with minor offences at the bottom before they reach the Courts.

(h) The Lay Magistrates’ Bill tabled in Parliament since 1999.

The Commissioner was appreciative of the supportive efforts of the JP Association in the current success of the police at crime-fighting and in helping to improve the public image.

The JP association in the same way is expected to function in a highly professional manner so as to improve its creditability and image.
HERMON BHOLAISINGH