United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to equip its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials with gloves capable of delivering painful electric shocks.
According to a procurement notification by the department, the administration will spend around $20 million to buy Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter(s) (GLOVE), which it described as “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices.”
The devices developed by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies LLC are expected to be delivered by the end of March next year (2027).
DHS and Compliant Technologies, which is expected to get no bid contract, refused to provide details about the development.
Reports suggest that the GLOVEs are being used in select police departments and jails. This comes amid the Trump administration already facing severe criticism for unleashing the ICE agents onto the U.S. streets. Several killings involving ICE agents have also been reported, which has also angered the citizens.
The company says that their product works just like a normal pair of gloves until the officer activates the electric mode with a button, adding that the gloves need to be in contact with the skin to deliver a painful shock.
President of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, John Peters, who has been studying the device for months, said: “It’s immediate and sharp, and it will distract you. I call it a bee sting.”
The company claims it helps officers get compliance within seconds.
2026-08-12 18:59:00
