In a significant legislative move, California’s state lawmakers have voted to prohibit law enforcement agencies from using electric shock gloves. This decision comes amidst a growing debate on the use of such devices.
The New York Times highlighted that this legislation aims to counteract the Trump administration’s $20 million allocation for equipping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with the gloves. Assemblywoman LaShae Sharp-Collins from San Diego spearheaded the bill, labeling the gloves as both “unproven” and “dangerous.” Her primary concern is the potential misuse by “our least trained and most lawless law enforcement” personnel.
Local police departments, some of which have already procured these gloves for testing, have emerged as vocal critics of the bill, despite its primary focus on preventing ICE from deploying the devices in California.
The controversy surrounding the gloves has intensified, especially following reports that school resource officers in Nebraska used the devices on students. This revelation led to the Omaha Police Department ceasing their use in schools after public backlash.
Immigration advocacy groups have been vocal against the gloves, citing ICE’s history of “aggressive, militarized immigration enforcement actions” that involve excessive force. Shiu-Ming Cheer of the California Immigrant Policy Center remarked, “So for us as an organization, we support this bill because we think that any excessive use of force makes Californians less safe.”
The Department of Homeland Security defends the gloves as a “de-escalation device” and has criticized the California bill. In a statement, the department asserted, “Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from any safety equipment is despicable and a deliberate attempt to undermine and endanger our officers. To be crystal clear: we will not abide by unconstitutional bans. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that California’s sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement.”
In a related legislative action, California lawmakers also passed the “GTFO Act,” barring former federal immigration officers from numerous public sector roles unless they undergo a “suitability review” by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. If enacted, this bill will take effect in 2028, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow.
SEE ALSO:
Homeland Security Spending Millions On Electric Gloves For ICE
Electric Shock Gloves Were Used On Students In Omaha Schools [Op-Ed]
