TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has sharply rebuked justices of the peace (JPs) who place decals identifying themselves as JPs on the dashboards of their motor vehicles, warning that the practice is unnecessary, improper, and increasingly being exploited by criminals.

Noting that the matter undermines law enforcement efforts, the minister said it has become serious enough for him to raise it with Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake.

“You have criminals now buying [decals used by JPs] and putting them in their vehicles; and when the police stop them, they point to it hoping the police won’t search them,” the minister said during a commissioning ceremony for 19 new JPs in Trelawny on Friday. The ceremony was held at Glistening Waters Restaurant in the community of Rock.