ICE Plans $20 Million Purchase Of Electric Shock Gloves For Enforcement Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C. (THECOUNT) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to spend up to $20 million on thousands of specialized gloves capable of delivering an electric shock intended to gain compliance from people who resist federal officers, according to a Department of Homeland Security procurement notice.

The planned purchase involves devices known as the G.L.O.V.E., an acronym for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. The devices are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky, and have been used by some law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities in recent years.

The Department of Homeland Security notice, published Monday, said the agency could seek to purchase the devices through a no-bid contract, with a solicitation potentially being published as early as Friday. The equipment would be used by ICE officers and agents during encounters in which individuals are allegedly resisting or becoming combative.

Compliant Technologies describes the G.L.O.V.E. as a patrol glove that can function normally until an officer activates its electrical mode using a switch. The device must make direct contact with a person’s skin to deliver the electrical stimulus.

According to the manufacturer, the resulting pain stimulus is designed to distract a person and help an officer gain compliance within seconds. The company says the devices have been used in jail and transport settings, including situations involving violent suspects and inmates who are resisting officers or threatening to harm themselves.

John Peters, president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, told The Associated Press he has studied the use of the devices and considers them an effective compliance tool when officers encounter physical resistance.

Peters said he believes the planned ICE purchase could be the largest order placed with the manufacturer to date. He said the gloves could potentially be used during efforts to remove uncooperative people from vehicles or residences and while moving detainees into or out of detention facilities.

The manufacturer cautions that the devices are not intended to be used as punishment or against people who are merely verbally defiant or belligerent. The company also warns against using them on certain high-risk populations, including children, pregnant women, elderly people and people with disabilities.

The planned acquisition has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, who questioned whether electric shock devices are appropriate for federal immigration enforcement and raised concerns about oversight of ICE’s use of force.

Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy project director on policing at the American Civil Liberties Union, said ICE officers have faced criticism over their use of force and questioned the need for the devices during civil immigration enforcement operations.

The Associated Press reported that the DHS notice did not immediately provide details about the number of devices ICE intends to purchase, specific deployment policies or the circumstances under which officers would be authorized to activate them.

DHS said Tuesday it was preparing a response to questions from the AP but had not provided an immediate comment. Jeff Niklaus, founder and CEO of Compliant Technologies, also declined to comment on the planned ICE purchase.

The manufacturer says officers must complete training before using the G.L.O.V.E. and must be recertified every two years. Peters said training and clearly defined policies would be important if ICE proceeds with the acquisition.

The devices are intended to provide officers with another option during physical confrontations. Supporters say they can be useful in situations where officers need to gain control without relying on other forms of force, while critics argue that their use by immigration officers could create additional risks for people encountered during enforcement operations.

The planned purchase comes as the Trump administration continues expanding federal immigration enforcement operations across the United States. The DHS procurement notice indicates ICE could move forward with the acquisition in the coming months, although the final contract, number of devices and specific deployment policies had not been announced.

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