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// DOSSIER — ice-plans-20-million-purchase-electric-shock-gloves
ICE Plans $20 Million Purchase of Electric Shock Gloves
REL_TIME: 13 Aug 2026 21:12Z · LANG: EN
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to spend up to $20 million to equip officers with electric shock gloves known as the G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter). Manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC, the devices deliver up to 380 volts of electricity upon direct skin contact to compel compliance from combative individuals. While DHS and supporters represent the technology as a safe, non-lethal de-escalation tool, civil rights advocates, Democratic lawmakers, and legal experts have raised severe concerns over potential misuse, lack of public oversight, and ICE's history of excessive force during immigration enforcement operations.
// Background
The proposed contract comes amid an intensified immigration crackdown by the Trump administration pushing for 2,000 arrests per day. ICE has drawn severe public scrutiny and oversight demands following recent fatal officer-involved shootings in Maine and Texas during arrest attempts where agents lacked body-worn cameras. While the G.L.O.V.E. system has been adopted by select local jails, police departments, and institutions, court records reveal a 2024 death in a Kentucky jail where an internal investigation found officers applied the gloves for durations far exceeding the manufacturer's 15-second safety recommendation.
// Key Developments
- DHS published a notice outlining plans for a potential no-bid contract worth $10 million to $20 million for shock gloves.
- The G.L.O.V.E. device functions as a standard patrol glove until activated by a switch, delivering direct pain stimulus without leaving burn marks.
- Manufacturer guidelines prohibit using the device as punishment, against verbal defiance, or on high-risk populations like children, pregnant women, or the elderly.
- Civil rights groups and lawmakers argue the covert nature of the glove's activation button increases risks of excessive force and abuse.
- A pending lawsuit alleges a 43-year-old man died in 2024 after being subjected to prolonged shocks from the gloves at a Kentucky detention facility.
// Timeline
-
A 43-year-old detainee dies at a jail in Richmond, Kentucky after receiving 27 shocks from G.L.O.V.E. devices and 13 from a Taser, leading to a lawsuit.
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DHS posts a notice revealing plans to spend up to $20 million on G.L.O.V.E. devices for ICE officers.
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Civil rights organizations, Democratic lawmakers, and state officials publicly voice outrage over the acquisition plan.
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Earliest date indicated by DHS for publishing the official solicitation for the no-bid contract.
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Expected final delivery completion date for the requested conductive devices under the contract.
// Perspectives
[Department of Homeland Security (DHS)]
Maintains that ICE continuously assesses officer needs for equipment that allows safe arrests and removals while adhering to law enforcement standards.
[American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)]
Opposes the acquisition, arguing that providing painful shock tools to ICE officers with limited training and a history of excessive force poses significant risks to public safety.
[Compliant Technologies LLC]
Markets the device as a safe, wearable distraction and de-escalation tool designed to control combative subjects rapidly without causing permanent physical injury.
[Democratic Elected Officials]
Condemn the purchase as unnecessary and cruel, arguing it adds a dangerous weapon to ICE's operational toolkit.
// Quotes
“It’s immediate and sharp, and it will distract you. I call it like a bee sting.”
“Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public.”
“We are outraged.”
“This won't make anyone safer and in fact just gives ICE another dangerous tool to target citizens and immigrants alike.”
