Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers might soon receive gloves designed to deliver electric shocks. These are intended to help manage individuals who resist or become combative. The agency is planning to allocate up to $20 million to acquire thousands of these gloves by March. This information comes from a notice by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), published recently.
The gloves, called the G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are produced by Compliant Technologies LLC, located in Lexington, Kentucky. Similar devices have been employed by certain police departments and jails in recent years.
DHS declined to provide immediate comments, stating they were formulating a response to inquiries from the Associated Press. On a related note, Jeff Niklaus, founder and CEO of Compliant Technologies, mentioned that he couldn’t comment on the topic.
The proposed no-bid contract for these devices might be floated as soon as Friday. This plan has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, who have criticized ICE for their enforcement practices during President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to Compliant Technologies, the gloves appear as ordinary patrol gloves until a switch activates their electrical mode. Once activated, they must contact the skin to deliver a stimulus, typically compelling compliance within seconds. John Peters, president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, likened the sensation to a bee sting, noting its sharpness and immediacy.
Peters observed that this purchase could be Compliant Technologies’ largest to date. He imagined ICE officers using these gloves to assist in removing non-cooperative individuals from vehicles, homes, and detention facilities.
For smaller or weaker officers, the gloves might offer an advantage by speeding up confrontations and takedowns. However, the manufacturer cautions against using the gloves as punishment or against vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, or elderly individuals.
Jenn Rolnick Borchetta from the American Civil Liberties Union expressed concerns about potential misuse. She questioned the necessity of these devices in civil immigration enforcement, voicing fears that individuals might be shocked without warning.
Proponents note that these gloves have specific uses in controlled environments, like jails, rather than general street patrol. They have been effective in handling violent suspects and inmates posing threats.
Peters acknowledged the potential for misuse by a few officers but suggested the devices would not typically result in injuries. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive policies and training for ICE officers.
To operate the device, officers need to complete a training course and renew their certification every two years, as required by the manufacturer.