PART III.  INSTRUMENTS OF FORCE “Rules and regulations on the use of firearms by law enforcement officials should include guidelines that: (d) Regulate the control, storage and issuing of firearms, including procedures for ensuring that law enforcement officials are accountable for the firearms and ammunition issued to them; “ Record keeping and registration Issuance of a firearm should be conditional on passing the training for that particular class and type of weapon, and be based on a certification procedure to ensure that those entitled to their use are sufficiently proficient and will be re-tested at regular intervals. Anyone who has not participated in or succeeded the initial or refresher training should hand back the firearm and lose his or her certification until passing the required exams. For accountability purposes, the date and time when someone takes a weapon, the type of weapon as well as its registration number, and type and number of rounds of ammunition should be clearly recorded. This record should be checked when the weapon(s) and ammunition are returned. Any weapon or round that is missing needs to be accounted for, and the respective law enforcement official should file a detailed report explaining the reason and circumstances of firing the weapon, or otherwise explain how he or she lost the ammunition. In situations where there is no plausible explanation, an investigation should follow, which could lead either to disciplinary proceedings, including the dismissal of the officer involved, if warranted, or to criminal charges. Weapons that have been stolen should immediately be reported, including their serial numbers, so that they can be traced back, for example when used in another shooting incident. The type and number of firearms and munitions used in an operation should be accounted for in the report that is submitted afterwards. The person in charge of the armoury should be able to tell at any time how many weapons there are, what types, how many rounds and what type; where they are; and what they can be used for. It is good practice to keep a similar register for all instruments of force, including batons and handcuffs. NIGERIA: ALWAYS CARRY YOUR AUTHORIZATION CARD WITH YOU In Nigeriaa any law enforcement official needs to produce his or her weapon Proficiency/Authorization Card before a weapon is issued, and this card must always be carried by the respective law enforcement official. The authorizing officer may withdraw an officer’s authorization to bear firearms if he or she is relieved of duty or is under a criminal or administrative investigation or the subject of any current disciplinary action, or fails to show minimum proficiency in subsequent range practice, or when in the judgment of the authorizing officer, the officer exhibits any impairment, including any physical or mental impairment that would cause concern for the well-being of the officer, fellow officers or the public. a This information is based on a presentation by Mr. Fimihan Adeoye at a conference on use of force in the Nigerian Police Force, 21-23 July 2015. 101