ICE to purchase $20 million of electric-shock gloves for field use
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to spend up to $20 million on gloves that can deliver electric shocks, a move the agency says will augment existing tools while critics warn it could increase use of force.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intends to acquire the Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (GLOVE) from Compliant Technologies LLC for as much as $20 million. The handheld device can emit up to 380 volts and is capable of delivering up to 30 pulses per second when activated by a button. Built-in microprocessors record each activation, and the manufacturer’s manual advises that the gloves be used only on subjects who are not elderly, children, pregnant, or severely disabled, and that a second officer be present during deployment.
"ICE is constantly assessing the needs of our officers in the field to ensure they have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country," the DHS statement said.
"Every decision is made with careful consideration and appropriately reviewed to ensure that any technology ICE utilises is consistent with all applicable law enforcement policies and standards," the agency added.
The gloves are slated for use by Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations units, which handle transnational crime and immigration enforcement respectively. According to the DHS note, the purchase could be the largest single order for the device to date.
The American Civil Liberties Union’s deputy director on policing, Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, criticized the move, saying ICE has shown a willingness to use force and that the new device could allow officers to deliver electric shocks with a simple button press.
"ICE spent the last year showing this country that they are willing to disregard the law and are too quick to use force, with devastating and at times fatal consequences for citizens and noncitizens alike," Borchetta said.
"Now they might be equipped with a device that allows them to deliver an electric shock with their hands by pushing a small button, in a move that might be imperceptible to those watching," she added.
The manufacturer claims the gloves are safe when used as directed and are intended to supplement, not replace, existing law-enforcement tools. Training and biennial recertification are required for officers operating the device.