US immigration officers to be equipped with gloves that deliver electric shocks

Officers and agents in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) would use the gloves, according to a DHS note

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may soon be equipped with gloves that can deliver electric shocks as they carry out their law enforcement duties.

ICE plans to spend up to $20m (£14.8m) to buy the Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (GLOVE), according to a note published on Monday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The gloves can deliver up to 380 volts of electricity, roughly three times the charge of a standard US power outlet.

"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," the DHS said in a statement to the BBC.

"Every decision is made with careful consideration and appropriately reviewed to ensure that any technology ICE utilises is consistent with all applicable law enforcement policies and standards," it added.

Compliant Technologies LLC, which makes the gloves, told the BBC it was unable to comment on the sale. A no-bid purchase contract could be published as early as Friday, DHS said.

The GLOVE devices are activated by pushing a button to deliver shocks and can deliver up to 30 pulses per second. They also feature built-in microprocessors that keep a record of activation. Compliant Technologies states on its website that they do not cause injury and are used by many agencies.

A user manual on the company's website recommends avoiding use on the elderly, small children, pregnant women and the "severely handicapped", as well as that an additional officer be present to restrain the subject while the gloves are being used.

The GLOVE feature a button that is pushed to activate the shock feature

The GLOVE manual states that the device must come in contact with a subject's skin but will function through thin clothing layers when wet.

It says users should undergo training and be recertified every two years and also asks users to take into consideration their experience and comfort level with the technology, the intended subject's actions and behaviour when interacting with officers, and the risk/benefit associated with "any level of given force".