64 Resource book on the use of force and firearms in law enforcement Chapter 5. A “range of means” to allow for a differentiated response In situations where it is absolutely necessary to use force, law enforcement officials should use the minimum amount necessary to achieve the law enforcement objective and in a manner that is proportionate to the threat encountered. This requires them to be able to choose between different instruments, including so-called less-lethal instruments. 5.1.  Introduction: apply non-violent means first Principle 4 of the BPUFF stresses that law enforcement officials should consider the use of nonviolent means first and only use force when the non-violent means “remain ineffective or without any promise of achieving the intended result”. This means that before resorting to force, law enforcement officials should always exhaust non-violent measures, such as the use of barriers to separate crowds and the removal or protection of a potential target. Moreover, officials should always consider whether they can solve the conflict through dialogue: are there facilities to communicate with the subject(s)? Is it possible to engage someone who has a good relationship with the person and can talk to them, (a parent, lawyer, social worker or community leader)? Will waiting to act improve chances of avoiding the use of force? All of the abovementioned options prevent or reduce the likelihood of the use of force whilst helping law enforcement officials to achieve their objectives. 5.2.  A range of means When law enforcement officials do need to resort to force, in order to act in a manner consistent with the principles of necessity and proportionality, principle 2 of the BPUFF calls on governments and law enforcement agencies to “develop a range of means as broad as possible and equip law enforcement officials with various types of weapons and ammunition that would allow for a differentiated use of force and firearms. These should include the development of nonlethal incapacitating weapons for use in appropriate situations, with a view to increasingly