What are these ICE shock gloves and what do they do?

They are electric-shock patrol gloves called G.L.O.V.E. devices that can be switched into a shock mode and used on people who are actively or passively resisting. ICE describes them as a distraction and de-escalation tool meant to reduce physical force and firearm use.

Why does this matter given recent ICE use-of-force incidents?

The purchase comes as ICE faces heightened scrutiny after two recent fatal shootings during arrest attempts. The agency says the gloves are meant to cut down on physical force and firearm use, but the timing and no-bid nature of the contract have drawn national attention.

Beyond the 806

ICE Awards $16.7M No-Bid Contract for Shock Gloves - Newser

Summarized by The 806 WireFriday, August 28, 2026Via Newser

ICE has awarded a $16.7 million no-bid contract to Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies for 6,000 electric-shock patrol gloves, paying roughly $2,500 per device, according to federal documents reviewed by CBS News. The gloves, branded as "G.L.O.V.E." devices, can be switched into an electric-shock mode and deployed against people who are "actively or passively resisting." ICE describes them as a "distraction and de-escalation" tool designed to cut down on physical force and firearm use. The purchase lands as ICE is under heightened scrutiny over use-of-force incidents, including two recent fatal shootings during arrest attempts.

The gloves, branded as "G.L.O.V.E." devices, can be switched into an electric-shock mode and deployed against people who are "actively or passively resisting." ICE describes them as a "distraction and de-escalation" tool designed to cut down on physical force and firearm use.

The purchase lands as ICE is under heightened scrutiny over use-of-force incidents, including two recent fatal shootings during arrest attempts. For people here in Lubbock, where ICE enforcement activity has drawn attention alongside the broader national debate over immigration policy, the contract raises a direct question about what tools agents are carrying and under what rules they can use them. No public competition determined whether $2,500 per glove was a fair price.

That passive-versus-active-resistance language in the federal documents is doing a lot of work for a device that delivers an electric shock, and no public standard yet defines where the line falls.

Common questions

What are these ICE shock gloves and what do they do?: They are electric-shock patrol gloves called G.L.O.V.E. devices that can be switched into a shock mode and used on people who are actively or passively resisting. ICE describes them as a distraction and de-escalation tool meant to reduce physical force and firearm use.
Why does this matter given recent ICE use-of-force incidents?: The purchase comes as ICE faces heightened scrutiny after two recent fatal shootings during arrest attempts. The agency says the gloves are meant to cut down on physical force and firearm use, but the timing and no-bid nature of the contract have drawn national attention.

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Common questions

What are these ICE shock gloves and what do they do?

Why does this matter given recent ICE use-of-force incidents?

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