Commentary on Sections Part 1, Chapter 3 – Miscellaneous Provision Section 32: Training within relevant bodies
This section places a duty on the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Public Prosecution Service and any additional public body that has functions within the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland (specified by the Department in Regulations), to ensure that training on the effect of Part 1 of the Act is provided to personnel, as it considers appropriate.
Subsection (2) places a duty of the Department of Justice for training Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal staff as an Agency of the Department, as well as any additional agency that has functions within the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland and which the Department selects in connection with this section.
Subsection (3) requires that training must be provided at least annually and would be mandatory for personnel/staff that have responsibilities for dealing with cases involving domestic abuse, to ensure the effective discharge of their responsibilities in relation to such cases.
Subsection (4) requires the Department of Justice to publish a statement setting out the level of participation in training by personnel/staff in each relevant organisation, within 18 months from the day on which Chapters 1 and 2 come into operation, and annually thereafter.