Starfleet Directive 012

Starfleet Directive 012
Subject: Minimum Necessary Force
To: All Starfleet Personnel
In situations where Starfleet personnel are engaged in combat with an unknown alien species, it is the policy of the United Federation of Planets to use minimum necessary force to resolve the situation.
All Starfleet personnel are to adhere to the following procedures:
# Use all available means of communication, including universal translators and diplomatic protocols, to establish a dialogue and avoid misunderstandings.
# Use non-lethal means of force, such as stun settings and forcefields, whenever possible.
# Only use lethal force as a last resort, when all attempts at peaceful resolution and non-lethal force have failed and there is a clear and immediate threat to the safety of Starfleet personnel or assets.
# After any conflict, Starfleet personnel are to make all attempts to initiate dialogue and seek peaceful resolution with the alien species.
Failure to adhere to these procedures will result in disciplinary action, up to and including court-martial proceedings.
By order of Starfleet Command