Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Training

19.—(1) It is mandatory for each listed authority, and each specified authority, to provide for those of its relevant personnel who have responsibilities for dealing with cases under this Act—

(a) such initial training, and

(b) such annual or other top-up training,

as the authority considers appropriate for the purpose of the effective discharge by those personnel of their respective responsibilities.

(2) The Chief Constable is a listed authority, and the Chief Constable’s “relevant personnel” are the personnel of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(3) The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland is a listed authority, and the Director’s “relevant personnel” are the personnel of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.

(4) The Department is a listed authority, and the Department’s “relevant personnel” are—

(a) staff within the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service, and

(b) staff within any additional agency of the Department that has functions in relation to cases under this Act and that the Department selects in connection with this subsection.

(5) The Department must publish a statement detailing the level of participation by relevant personnel in training provided under subsection (1)—

(a) before the end of the period of 18 months beginning with the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent, and

(b) thereafter within each period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the last statement was published.

(6) A “specified authority” is a person that—

(a) has functions in relation to cases under this Act, and

(b) is specified in connection with this section in regulations made by the Department;

and a specified authority’s “relevant personnel” are persons of a description specified in regulations made by the Department.

(7) Regulations under subsection (6) are subject to negative resolution.