66 The ODIHR Human Rights Handbook on Policing Assemblies states that striking weapons should not be used provocatively (e.g., by beating police shields with batons to “stir up” a crowd), and that the use of force must cease once the legitimate purpose of the baton strike has been met.101 In connection with the second point, some jurisdictions have policies requiring law enforcement officers to strike once, and then to reassess. The Handbook also states: “Unless there is a risk of death or serious injury, baton strikes should never aim at the head or shoulders, as well as to the genitals, spine and other vulnerable parts of the body, as they could constitute a lethal use of force or cause serious injury.”102 What monitors should observe and record • In what circumstances were striking weapons used? • What type of striking weapons were deployed? • What did the weapons look like? Monitors should try to record the shape and size, and take images or video, focusing on any logos, names or other markings that might identify the manufacturer or model. • What areas of the body were hit? • What kind of strikes were used (e.g., overhead strikes, lateral swipes, end-on jabs)? • Were striking weapons used only against those engaged in acts of violence, or were they used more generally against the crowd? • How many times were suspects struck? Were large numbers of strikes (amounting to beating) used? • Were people hit while already restrained, when they were on the ground or when they were not resisting? • Were striking weapons used to intimidate those exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly (e.g., by using them to hit shields or by extending telescopic batons with a flick of the wrist)? • Was a warning given before using striking weapons? How much in advance of the use was the warning issued? • Was medical help provided (by the police, medical service) to those affected by the use of striking weapons? 101 ODIHR, Human Rights Handbook on Policing Assemblies, op. cit., note 2, pp. 76-77. 102 Ibid. p. 77.