Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faced backlash from Democratic elected officials and civil rights advocates over its proposal to supply officers with gloves capable of delivering painful electric shocks. Critics labeled the plan as unnecessary and cruel. ICE aims to invest between $10 million and $20 million in these ‘conductive distraction and de-escalation devices,’ as detailed in a notice revealed by The Associated Press.
The gloves, known by the acronym G.L.O.V.E. which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, appear as typical patrol gloves. However, when an officer activates the electrical mode, they cause pain to a person’s skin, encouraging compliance from those resisting. Unlike Tasers, these gloves do not leave burn or contact marks.
New York AG Condemns the Plan
The scale of this acquisition indicates a potential distribution to most, if not all, ICE officers. Such devices have previously found more frequent use in jails rather than on the streets. ICE officers have used force more frequently in confrontational situations, drawing protests regarding the enforcement of immigration policies under former President Donald Trump.
New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed strong disapproval at a news conference. She warned that any misuse in her state could lead to serious legal consequences for ICE officers. The Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, did not address specifics about the gloves in its statement but mentioned their commitment to providing officers with necessary tools aligned with law enforcement standards.
Lawsuit and Safety Concerns
A lawsuit claims the gloves were a factor in the death of a man who endured numerous shocks, both from the gloves and a Taser, at a jail in Kentucky. An internal investigation revealed that some shocks exceeded the manufacturer’s 15-second recommendation significantly.
The Associated Press discovered two other lawsuits related to injuries allegedly caused by the gloves. In one case, a man with heart issues was shocked at a trade show in Las Vegas. Both cases were eventually dismissed.
Democratic Leaders Voice Opposition
Several Democratic members of Congress, including Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Maxwell Frost, and Delia Ramirez, voiced opposition on social media. They argue that these gloves add another hazardous tool to ICE’s arsenal and do not enhance public safety.
Concerns Over Misuse
Warnings from the manufacturer indicate that these devices should not target vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those severely handicapped. They also should not be employed as a response to verbal defiance or for punishment.
Former ICE acting director John Sandweg expressed concerns about misuse, highlighting the potential for inappropriate application against non-threatening populations. Michael Mannheimer, a law professor with expertise in police use-of-force, echoed these concerns, questioning whether the availability of such devices might lead officers to use excessive force.
The Department of Homeland Security’s database signaled that a no-bid contract for purchasing the gloves could be finalized soon, with the contract possibly extending until March 2027. The founder of Compliant Technologies LLC, the gloves’ manufacturer, declined to comment on the situation.
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