Institutions endure when they understand their place within a larger system. Policing does not operate in isolation. It functions within a justice ecosystem that predates the modern constabulary and extends far beyond the uniform. In his latest column in the Force Orders, Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake turns our attention to a relationship that is often procedural in appearance yet profound in significance: the partnership between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the nation’s Justices of the Peace.
The Commissioner’s framing is both historical and philosophical. He reminds members that the Office of the Justice of the Peace “represents one of the most enduring pillars of civic life in our country.” He situates the institution within deep historical roots: “Long before modern policing structures were formalised, Justices of the Peace were entrusted with maintaining order, certifying documents, witnessing affidavits, and, importantly, serving as a bridge between the citizen and the justice system.” His most striking line crystallises the connection: “In other words, they were the police before we became the police.”
This historical continuity matters. It reorients how we think about authority. Policing in Jamaica did not emerge as a detached enforcement apparatus. It evolved within a civic framework where community-based lay justice played a central role. The Commissioner’s insight restores that memory and positions modern policing as inheritor rather than monopolist of public order.
The relationship, however, is not symbolic alone. It is operational. “Policing and the lay justice system are intertwined,” he writes. Every day, across stations and divisions, officers rely on Justices of the Peace in “the processing of warrants, the signing of documents, the administration of oaths, and in the broader community-based dispute resolution space.” These interactions are not ceremonial. They are foundational to due process. “When a citizen walks into a police station seeking guidance, very often a Justice of the Peace is part of the solution; helping to ensure that due process is followed and that fairness and impartiality are upheld.”
This is where the Commissioner elevates the conversation beyond mechanics. “At its core, policing is about legitimacy as much as it is about enforcement.” That statement defines the column’s intellectual centre. Enforcement without legitimacy erodes trust. Legitimacy anchored in transparent process builds consent. The Justice of the Peace strengthens that legitimacy. “As respected members of their communities, they lend credibility and transparency to the justice process.” He calls them “ambassadors of justice at the grassroots level.” The phrase captures both proximity and influence. Grassroots legitimacy sustains national confidence.
The Commissioner also underscores the symbolic power of service. He describes the work of a Justice of the Peace as “voluntary service,” one of the oldest institutions in Jamaica. He highlights the commissioning of 148 new Justices of the Peace, including senior officers within the Force. “This week began with one of my proudest moments,” he writes, noting that several Deputy and Assistant Commissioners took on this additional civic responsibility. Their participation “signals a deep commitment to service beyond rank and beyond the uniform.” It reinforces a simple but powerful idea: “justice is a duty.”
The synergy between police and JPs strengthens crime reduction efforts. The Commissioner places this partnership within the broader mission: “Sustainable crime reduction depends on partnership; between police and citizen, between authority and accountability, as much as it depends on strong enforcement.” That formulation recognises complexity. Crime reduction is achieved through coordinated legitimacy. Enforcement establishes consequence. Lay justice sustains trust.
He calls on Commanders directly, “We have almost 10,000 Justices of the Peace across the country. Let us continue to nurture strong relationships with the Justices of the Peace in our divisions and communities. Treat them as allies in our shared mission.” Engagement is not optional. It is an operational imperative.
The Commissioner’s closing reflection encapsulates the broader theme. “We are part of a justice ecosystem; one that depends on trust and service.” The metaphor is deliberate. An ecosystem survives through balance and interdependence. Police and Justices of the Peace function within that shared environment. Their cooperation reinforces fairness. Their professionalism safeguards credibility. Their alignment stabilises public confidence.
The call to action is clear. Officers must cultivate respect and partnership with the Justices of the Peace in their divisions. Commanders must integrate them into community safety strategies. Senior leaders must model the spirit of shared service. Members who have taken up the mantle of JP must carry it with the same discipline and integrity that defines the uniform.
Justice thrives when institutions recognise each other as allies. The Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Justices of the Peace stand on the same side. That alignment strengthens legitimacy. That legitimacy sustains crime reduction. And that shared commitment ensures that justice at the grassroots remains justice for the nation.
