U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to spend up to $20 million to equip officers with conductive distraction and de-escalation devices—known as the G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter)—by March 2025. The devices, manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC in Lexington, Kentucky, are designed to deliver a painful electric stimulus to gain compliance from combative individuals.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice on Monday outlining the potential no-bid contract for thousands of the gloves. The solicitation could be finalized as early as Friday, according to the notice. DHS and Compliant Technologies have not responded to multiple requests for comment.
The G.L.O.V.E. functions as a standard pair of patrol gloves until an officer activates an electrical mode. The device must be applied directly to a person’s skin to deliver a sharp pain stimulus, which the manufacturer and an independent expert describe as akin to a bee sting. The pain typically prompts compliance within seconds, according to Compliant Technologies and John Peters, president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, who has studied the device’s use.
Policy and Procurement Details
ICE’s planned purchase represents one of the largest deployments of the G.L.O.V.E. to date. The agency has not provided a public rationale for the acquisition, and DHS declined to comment when asked by the Associated Press. Compliant Technologies’ founder and CEO, Jeff Niklaus, also declined to discuss the contract in an email to the AP.
The devices have been used in recent years by select police departments and jails, though ICE’s planned procurement would significantly expand their deployment. The notice does not specify how many gloves are being purchased, only that the contract could reach $20 million.
Civil Rights and Oversight Concerns
Civil rights advocates have raised alarms over the plan, citing existing criticism of ICE’s use of force during immigration enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups argue that the agency already faces insufficient oversight and accountability for its tactics.
“ICE officers are already under scrutiny for their use of force with little transparency,” said a spokesperson for the ACLU, who requested anonymity to discuss pending legal strategies. “Introducing new tools like these gloves without clear guidelines or public debate raises serious questions about escalation and potential abuse.”
John Peters, who has studied the G.L.O.V.E.’s use in other law enforcement contexts, acknowledged the device’s effectiveness but emphasized the need for training and safeguards. “If the officer is facing resistance, this can be an effective tool,” Peters said. “But it’s not a substitute for de-escalation training or proper use-of-force policies.”
Background on the G.L.O.V.E.
The G.L.O.V.E. is part of a category of conductive distraction devices, which are designed to deliver non-lethal pain compliance. Unlike stun guns or Tasers, the gloves require direct skin contact and are intended for close-range encounters. Compliant Technologies markets the device as a way to quickly resolve confrontations without resorting to more severe force.
The company has not disclosed the voltage output of the G.L.O.V.E., stating only that it delivers a “low-output” stimulus. Peters described the sensation as “immediate and sharp,” designed to distract rather than cause lasting harm.
Next Steps and Unanswered Questions
The contract’s no-bid status has drawn scrutiny, as federal procurement rules typically require competitive bidding. DHS has not explained why an exception would be granted for this purchase. The agency has also not provided details on how the gloves will be deployed, whether officers will receive specialized training, or how their use will be monitored.
ICE and DHS have not responded to repeated inquiries about these questions. The lack of clarity has left civil rights groups and lawmakers calling for more transparency before the contract is finalized.