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ICE signs $16.7 million no-bid contract for 6,000 electric shock gloves despite Senate outcry

The gloves, made by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky, can deliver an electrical discharge against a subject's skin at the flip of a switch.
The gloves, made by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky, can deliver an electrical discharge against a subject's skin at the flip of a switch.
The no-bid contract, signed despite formal objections from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and 15 colleagues, covers 6,000 pairs of gloves plus support equipment over six months.
The no-bid contract, signed despite formal objections from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and 15 colleagues, covers 6,000 pairs of gloves plus support equipment over six months.

Trump's immigration enforcement agency has awarded a sole-source contract to Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies for 6,000 pairs of the G.L.O.V.E. — Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter — priced at $2,495 per pair. Resembling standard patrol gloves, the device administers a painful electric shock on contact with skin when activated, designed to compel compliance during arrests and the transport of detainees. ICE published the contract notice within hours of receiving a letter from 16 Democratic senators, led by Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, urging the agency's acting director to cancel the procurement.

ICE contends the gloves give officers a less-lethal option to reach for before resorting to firearms.

Critics argue that ICE already faces excessive-force allegations with little oversight across Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis and elsewhere.

The six-month contract covers the gloves themselves alongside associated support equipment and services; procurement documents specify no training requirements or accountability standards.

MoreYahoo News UKUS ICE grants $16.7 million contract to buy thousands of electric shock glovesThe IndependentICE orders 6,000 electric shock gloves in $16.7M deal despite backlashCBS NewsICE grants $16.7 million contract to buy thousands of electric shock gloves - CBS NewsThe Detroit NewsUS ICE grants $16.7M contract to buy thousands of electric shock gloves - The Detroit News
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