By BRIDGET COOK
CRANBOURNE police station is calling for more Justices of the Peace (JPs) so they can keep up with the demand for their service and extend their hours.
JPs provide a daily document signing service for members of the public at the Cranbourne Police Station.
During 2012, the JPs at the station witnessed more than 15,000 documents – about 50 documents per day.
By the end of September last year, the total was already at more than 13,000 so the figure was set to exceed that of the previous year.
Ian Symons, who co-ordinates the JP roster at Cranbourne Police Station, called on more people to join the team.
“There is an increasing trend towards requiring identity checks by superannuation funds and the financial world generally,” he said.
“Employers are also making increased use of working with children requirements and police checks.
“These all involve certification of true copies and witnessing signatures by an authorised person.
“Since JPs grow old and get ill like the rest of us, there is always a need for additional JPs to help fill the roster.
“We would also like to extend our hours and maybe establish an evening roster as well to cater for those who cannot get to the police station during the day.
“So I want to hear from any existing JPs that could make some time available to help with either the day or evening rosters.”
Mr Symons said any community-minded citizen of good character was also eligible to seek appointment as a JP.
The role of a JP has two main objectives – to provide a point where members of the public can easily access a JP and to relieve police members of that task so they can use their resources elsewhere.
To find out more about becoming a JP or to join the roster at Cranbourne, contact Mr Symons on 0418 380 322.
There is an established training program that new appointees attend, and they will be mentored by an experienced JP as they settle into the role at the signing centre.
More details on the selection and appointment process and the training involved are available at www.justice.vic.gov.au/utility/volunteering/.
Signing centres also operate at Narre Warren, Dandenong and Frankston police stations.
