Omaha school district asks police to stop using electric shock gloves

Key Points:

• Omaha police have agreed to stop carrying electric shock gloves, known as G.L.O.V.E.s, in most middle and high schools following concerns raised by the school superintendent and public opposition.
• Bellevue police, who patrol some Omaha-area schools, will continue using the gloves, citing their effectiveness and safety, while other districts with Omaha officers have not yet taken action.
• The gloves have been used sparingly by Omaha and Bellevue police to control students who resisted commands, but their use sparked significant backlash from students, residents, and school board members concerned about safety and trust.
• Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Ray emphasized that continued use of the gloves would harm relationships with law enforcement partners and counteract efforts to promote school safety.
• The devices deliver electric shocks upon direct skin contact and are intended as a less harmful alternative to other force options, but experts stress the need for careful policies regarding their use, especially with vulnerable student populations.