force and firearms. These should include the development of non-lethal incapacitating weapons for use in appropriate situations, with a view to increasingly restraining the application of means capable of causing death or injury to persons. For the same purpose, law enforcement officials should also be equipped with self-defensive equipment such as shields, helmets or bullet-proof vests in order to decrease the need to use weapons of any kind. "3. The development and deployment of non-lethal incapacitating weapons should be carefully evaluated in order to minimize the risk of endangering uninvolved persons, and the use of such weapons should be carefully controlled. "4. Law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms. They may use force and firearms only if other means remain ineffective or without any promise of achieving the intended result. "5. Whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is unavoidable, law enforcement officials shall: "(a) Exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be achieved; "(b) Minimize damage and respect and preserve human life; "(c) Ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to any injured or affected persons at the earliest possible moment; "(d) Ensure that relatives or close friends of the injured or affected person are notified at the earliest possible moment. "6. Where injury or death is caused by the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials, they shall report the incident promptly to their superiors, in accordance with principle 22. "7. Governments shall ensure that arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is punished as a criminal offence under their law. "8. Exceptional circumstances such as internal political instability or 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing guidelines for the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials, with a focus on minimizing harm and ensuring the protection of human life. The text does not seem to be related to economic development, natural resources, industry, transport, communication, international trade, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture. The language used is more formal and regulatory in nature, suggesting a focus on policy or law enforcement.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Law and order