Police acknowledge service with a cuppa
Justices of the Peace based at Warragul Police Station signed almost 19,500 documents last year.
The JP’s document signing service equates to a significant time saver for local police and based on an average five minutes per document, could be up to 1620 hours a year.
Grateful for the service provided to community members, Warragul Police last week held an afternoon tea to acknowledge the work done by the JPs.
The document signing station, based adjacent to the Warragul police station’s foyer, enables community members easy access to a JP five days a week.
Co-ordinator Ian Symons said the service provided a significant time saving for police, enabling police members to focus on their policing duties.
During 2017, they signed 19,436 documents and have signed 2350 already this year.
The service operated Mondays to Fridays between 9.30am and 4.30pm, except public holidays.
The service is run by JPs who are community minded citizens appointed by the Department of Justice and Regulation following a selection process and completion of a training program.
The signing station is staffed by 16 JPs, some of which have more than 20 years service as a JP.
The types of documents witnessed by the JPs includes affidavits and statutory declarations; affidavits relating to divorce proceedings; powers of attorney; police and criminal record checks; certification of true copies of documents; certification of copies required by births, deaths and marriages registry; and, other documents requiring an authorised witness.
If anyone would like to become a JP, call into the signing station and talk to a JP on duty about their role.