ICE plans to purchase $20 million of electric shock gloves from Compliant Technologies, with delivery expected by the end of March 2027, and the devices will be issued to Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations officers.

The gloves, called the GLOVE (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are padded utility gloves that deliver an electric shock when a button on the wrist is pressed. They have been used by police departments, sheriffs, jail wardens, and school resource officers, and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have said the devices can be misused for torture.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department in Missouri bought the gloves in 2022 after a trade show; officials said the gloves reduce visible marks and potential lawsuits. The manufacturer initially described the product as a weapon on social media but later rebranded it as a “Conductive Distraction and De‑escalation device” and marketed it as humane. A user manual warns that the shocks can raise blood pressure and alter heart rhythm and advises avoiding use on people with certain health conditions. Some departments have issued guidance limiting use on pregnant women, the elderly, or individuals in shackles.

A pending wrongful death lawsuit alleges that a 43‑year‑old man died after corrections officers shocked him 27 times with the gloves and 13 times with a Taser, with two shocks lasting 45 and 99 seconds, exceeding the manufacturer’s 15‑second recommendation. Additional lawsuits have been filed by individuals who say they were shocked at trade shows or in jails.

An ICE spokesperson said officers receive de‑escalation training and that the gloves will be provided to HSI and ERO personnel. Compliant Technologies did not respond to a request for comment. Jeff Niklaus, the company’s founder, has described his motivation in terms that reference personal military experience and political beliefs, but the article notes those statements without independent verification.

The procurement is slated for completion by March 2027, and the effect of the gloves on law enforcement practices remains to be seen.