SENIOR deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn has called on Justices of the Peace to be armour bearers of honesty and integrity in their communities, to help stamp out corruption in the society.

Llewellyn says JPs hold the power and determination to shut the door of corruption in the face of brazen people who issue invitations to certain functions in order to engage them in corrupt practices.

“There must be no buddy-boy system, no amount of cronyism, no amount of nepotism should be allowed to prevail over your integrity but (you must) withdraw from corruption in the face of that integrity,” said the deputy DPP, speaking at the annual general meeting of the Kingston Lay Magistrates Association (KLMA) at St Matthews Anglican Church Hall, Allman Town.

Noting that the best efforts the lay magistrates can employ to stamp out corruption was the manifestation of an act of will, Llewellyn admonished the justices to be their brothers’ keeper.

“You must not be afraid to let your colleagues know that you are not prepared to sully the reputation of Justices of the Peace.”

She advised the lay magistrates to create a value system which recognises and pays appreciation to their self worth which she said transcends the purely material things of life.

At the Kingston KLMA meeting, a 10-member executive, headed by new president Paulette Kirkland, was elected for the next year.

Other members of the executive are: Kathlyn Thompson, first vice president; Alf St P Grant, second vice president; Kevin Brown, secretary; Aldyth Taylor-Francis, assistant secretary; Michael Hall, treasurer; Errol Gallimore, assistant treasurer; Joan McDonald, public relations officer; with Norma Brown-Bell, and immediate past president Rion Hall as executive members.