At a cost of $16.7 million: The US police's way of dealing with criminals

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a contract worth $16.7 million to purchase 6,000 pairs of gloves capable of delivering painful electric shocks, with the goal of assisting officers in subduing detainees and protesters who resist arrest.

According to a report by the AP news agency, the purchase is being made despite strong opposition from human rights organizations and Democratic members of Congress, who argue that ICE personnel cannot be trusted to use the new tool properly, especially against the backdrop of existing criticism regarding the agency's use of force.

The gloves look and function initially like regular patrol gloves. When the officer activates a switch, they switch to an electric mode. To deliver the shock, the glove must be placed directly against the person's bare skin. According to the manufacturer, the electrical stimulation causes pain and helps achieve compliance within a short time.

ICE stated that the gloves are intended for use in "tense environments," including during arrests, the transport of violent detainees, and dealing with disturbances outside detention facilities. The agency claims the goal is to subdue resistors quickly and prevent injuries to both detainees and officers, while avoiding the use of more severe measures, including firearms.

Opposition in Congress

The purchase drew criticism from 16 Democratic senators, led by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, who called on ICE to cancel the deal.

The senators argued that the use of the gloves could be particularly dangerous during civil immigration arrests, and demanded that ICE release details on the training officers will receive and how the use of the gloves will be documented and reviewed.

Human rights organizations claim that ICE personnel have already faced criticism for excessive use of force and a lack of sufficient oversight during the enforcement operations of the Donald Trump administration. They argue that adding a tool that allows an officer to inflict pain at the push of a button raises concerns about misuse.

Conversely, the Department of Homeland Security defended the purchase and attacked the opponents. The department argued that attempts to limit the equipment available to federal law enforcement personnel endanger officers and undermine their ability to perform their jobs.