Introduction This resource book relates to the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials. Law enforcement officials’ power to use force derives from the duty of the State to maintain public order, to protect persons within its jurisdiction, and ensure human rights and the rule of law. While the use of force may be lawful and necessary in certain cases, it can result in damage to property, injury, loss of life and may interfere with or violate human rights. Law enforcement officials have the authority to use force in situations where it is necessary in order to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective. Force may, for example, be used to ensure compliance with lawful police instructions, to arrest non-cooperative or dangerous suspects, protect members of the general public or break up a violent crowd. However, such use of force should always respect a State’s obligations under international law, which include conditions imposed by international human rights law, included in treaties or recognized as customary international law. The United Nations standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice, developed and adopted through consensus by the governing bodies of UNODC (the Crime Congress, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly) through an intergovernmental process, provide an important benchmark for measuring the functioning of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement agencies. In order to prevent the abusive use of force and violation of human rights in law enforcement, States should establish a carefully elaborated legal and policy framework, along with the adequate guidance and training that reflects the State’s legal obligations, both domestic and international. Any use of force by law enforcement officials must be strictly compliant with that framework. This resource book explores international law sources relevant to the use of force and the general responsibility of law enforcement authorities for the use of force. It discusses a number of instruments of force, including firearms, and the conditions under which these should be used. It further examines the possible use of force in a number of specific policing situations. Finally, it also outlines good practices for accountability in the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials. Key concepts and actors Use of force In this resource book, “use of force” refers to the use of physical means that may harm a person or cause damage to property.1 Physical means include the use of hands and body by law enforcement officials; the use of any instruments, weapons or equipment, such as batons; chemical irritants such as pepper spray; restraints such as handcuffs; dogs; and firearms. The actual use of force has the potential to inflict harm, cause (serious) injury, and may be lethal in some instances. 1  In a 2001 study the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) defined “use of force” as “the amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject.” For more information on the definition of “use of force”, visit IACP Police Use of Force in America (United States, 2001): http://www.theiacp.org/Portals/0/ pdfs/Publications/2001useofforce.pdf. 1