US Immigration Officers May Soon Use Electric Shock Gloves

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may soon be equipped with specialized gloves designed to deliver electric shocks during law enforcement operations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to spend up to $20 million on the Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (GLOVE) devices. These gloves can discharge electricity at up to 380 volts, significantly higher than a standard US power outlet. A DHS statement indicated the technology aims to ensure officers can "safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens." The DHS emphasized that decisions regarding technology use are carefully reviewed for compliance with law enforcement policies and standards. Compliant Technologies LLC, the manufacturer, declined to comment on the sale. A no-bid contract for the gloves could be finalized soon. The GLOVE devices, activated by a button, can deliver up to 30 pulses per second and feature microprocessors to record activations. The company claims the gloves do not cause injury and are used by various agencies. However, a user manual advises against using them on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and the severely handicapped. It also recommends an additional officer be present during use and that the device must contact the subject's skin, though it can function through thin, wet clothing. Training and recertification are required for users. The manual suggests users consider factors like their experience, the subject's behavior, and the risk-benefit of the force used. The gloves are intended to supplement existing tools, not replace them. ICE's Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations divisions are slated to use the GLOVEs. While some agencies already employ the technology, this planned ICE purchase is expected to be the largest to date from Compliant Technologies. Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have voiced significant concerns about the use of these devices by law enforcement.

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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.