Sacramento, California: State lawmakers have passed a California shock glove ban and sent it to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until September 30th to sign or veto it. The measure would block officers from wearing devices capable of delivering an electric shock and bar California police agencies from spending state funds to buy them.
According to legislative records, the measure is Assembly Bill 2760, authored by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, a San Diego Democrat. Reporting on the bill says it would prohibit state and local officers and federal immigration agents operating in California from wearing devices that can deliver an electric shock. It would also stop California departments from using state money to purchase the devices, and it addresses electric shock bands used on suspects in custody. According to UPI, the restriction would run through 2030 and would not outlaw Tasers or other existing less lethal devices already in use.
“Anyone who doesn’t want this product in the hands of law enforcement wants more deadly force encounters. It’s that simple.” Dr. Travis Yates
The devices at issue are made by Compliant Technologies of Lexington, Kentucky. Coverage of the bill notes the legislation advanced late in the session, after federal reporting that immigration authorities had awarded a multimillion-dollar contract for thousands of pairs of the gloves.
If signed, California would become the first state to enact such a ban.
Law Enforcement Pushback
Several agencies and officials oppose the measure. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, a former Democratic state lawmaker, criticized the ban after his department invested roughly 35,000 dollars in the technology and acquired 10 of the gloves. Reporting also identified the Santa Monica and El Monte police departments among agencies that have been testing the equipment.
Officers who support the technology view it as another less lethal option that could reduce the need for higher levels of force in a physical confrontation. From that perspective, removing a tool before it is fielded limits the choices available to an officer trying to control a resisting subject while minimizing injury. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security went further, calling the ban despicable and arguing it is unconstitutional, according to UPI.
Dr. Travis Yates spent three decades in law enforcement and is an expert in use of force and de-escalation. He calls ‘The G.L.O.V.E.’ by Complaint Technologies the best less lethal product available in the world and praises its ability to bring combative suspects into custody without using higher levels of force.
Yates conducted the largest study of its kind on attacks against law enforcement and built the first research-based framework designed to mitigate use of force and officer injuries. Called FOCUS, Yates said that ‘The G.L.O.V.E.’ is a game-changer and “without a doubt reduces use of force.”
Supporters Cite Safety Concerns
Sharp-Collins has said public safety technology must be proven safe and accountable before it is deployed, not after someone is killed or seriously injured. She has also said that although the gloves are not currently in use in California, waiting for a tragedy to act would be a mistake, according to CalMatters.
Yates calls that notion ridiculous.
“This product has been widely used throughout the world and not only does it have a 100% effective rate but it has never produced an injury,” Yates said.
Yates, who has tested the product, said that it is the solution to many officer attacks but will be especially effective in vehicle extractions, which have proven dangerous for law enforcement and deadly for both suspects and officers.
Yates calls the decision to implement the technology an easy decision.
“Anyone who doesn’t want this product in the hands of law enforcement wants more deadly force encounters. It’s that simple,” Yates exclaimed.
