ICE Spends Millions on Shocking Gloves

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to allocate up to $20 million by March for electric shock gloves, a newly revealed expenditure by the Department of Homeland Security. These gloves, termed GLOVE (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are manufactured by Compliant Technologies and function as a non-lethal law enforcement tool.

Unlike Tasers, the GLOVE utilizes Neuro-Peripheral Interference (NPI) to bombard sensory nerves and temporarily disrupt focus. Activated by a switch, conductive pads on the gloves transmit electrical pulses to the point of contact, inducing localized pain that inhibits movement without causing systemic muscle lockup. The manufacturer claims subjects comply within three seconds and that the gloves leave no lasting marks.

Safety protocols dictate that the GLOVE should not be used on vulnerable populations and must avoid sensitive areas like the head and chest. Continuous shocks are limited to 15 seconds, and operators must target limbs. A significant limitation is the requirement for bare skin contact; the gloves are ineffective through dry clothing but can work through thin, wet garments.

Concerns have been raised by organizations like Omega Research Foundation, with a senior researcher stating that the technology is designed to inflict pain rather than simply incapacitate. This has led to criticisms that the CD3 technology is inherently abusive and should not be used by law enforcement agencies, including ICE.