6 2.7 Law enforcement policies, instructions and operations must give special consideration to those who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful consequences of the use of force in general and to the effects of specific lesslethal weapons; such persons include children, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, persons with mental health problems and persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol. NECESSITY 2.8 In carrying out their duty, law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and only to the extent required for the performance of their duty. In other words, law enforcement officials should use force only when, in the circumstances, it is absolutely necessary in order to achieve a lawful and legitimate law enforcement objective.22 2.9 The principle of necessity requires that, to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective, no reasonable alternative appears available at that moment other than resorting to the use of force.23 In particular, law enforcement officers must seek to de-escalate situations, including by seeking a peaceful resolution to a dangerous situation whenever possible. Depending on the circumstances, unnecessary or excessive use of force may even amount to torture or illtreatment.24 When the use of force is reasonably necessary in the circumstances, only the minimum force required to achieve that objective shall be used. The use of force must cease as soon as it is no longer necessary.25 PROPORTIONALITY 2.10 The type and level of the force used and the harm that may reasonably be expected to result from it shall be proportionate to the threat posed by an individual or group of individuals or to the offence that an individual or group Basic Principles, principle 4; Code of Conduct, article 3. 1990 Basic Principles, principle 4; Code of Conduct, article 3 and Commentary (a). 24 UNODC/OHCHR, Resource book on the use of force and firearms in law enforcement, p. 17. 25 Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (A/HRC/26/36), para. 60; Code of Conduct, Commentary (a) on article 3. 22 23