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ICE plans to purchase up to $20 mln in electroshock gloves
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The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency plans to spend up to $20 million to acquire thousands of electroshock gloves, called G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), manufactured by Compliant Technologies in Kentucky. The devices, which deliver painful electric shocks when activated by a switch, are intended to subdue unruly individuals within seconds. They have already been used by some prisons and police departments. Civil rights advocates, including the ACLU's Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, expressed alarm, warning that ICE officers could deliver shocks without warning and that the agency has a history of using force too quickly. The manufacturer warns against using the gloves as punishment, on individuals offering only verbal resistance, or on children, pregnant women, elderly, or disabled people. Officers must complete a training course and be recertified every two years.
Source report
Overview
Officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could soon be equipped with gloves capable of delivering painful electric shocks. The devices are intended to persuade unruly individuals to cooperate.
According to a notice published Monday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of so-called "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices" for its officers. The acquisition is expected to be completed by March.
The Device: G.L.O.V.E.
The device is called G.L.O.V.E. — short for "Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter" — and is manufactured by Compliant Technologies in the U.S. state of Kentucky.
- The gloves initially function like standard duty gloves.
- When an officer activates a switch, the gloves deliver an electric shock.
- The gloves must be applied directly to the skin.
- According to the manufacturer, the pain stimulus is intended to break resistance within seconds.
The gloves have already been used by some prisons and police departments in recent years.
Manufacturer's Warnings
The manufacturer warns against using the devices:
- As punishment
- Against individuals who offer only verbal resistance
- On children, pregnant women, or elderly or disabled people
Officers must complete a training course to use the gloves and must be recertified every two years.
Reactions and Concerns
Civil rights advocates have expressed alarm over the planned deployment.
Jenn Rolnick Borchetta of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) raised concerns about the appropriate use of the devices by ICE officers. She warned that affected individuals could receive electric shocks without warning.
"ICE has shown over the past year that the agency uses force too quickly. Now it can deliver electric shocks at the push of a button, without others possibly noticing the use," she said. "The gloves could easily cause severe pain in such operations."
The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it is working on a response to an inquiry from the Associated Press and could not initially comment. The manufacturer also declined to comment.
Context
ICE is already under criticism for its use of force in enforcing President Donald Trump's immigration policy.
Source: AP/saha
Source
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ICE Plans $20M Purchase of Electric Shock Gloves for Agents