Omaha Schools Ask Police to Stop Using Shock Gloves

Omaha police have agreed to stop carrying gloves that can deliver electric shocks to students in the halls of Nebraska's largest public school district. The decision affecting most Omaha middle and high schools came after the AP first revealed Immigration and Customs Enforcement's plan to give officers the gloves, called Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters. The devices have also been used in recent years by some jails, per the AP. Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray requested that police working in the buildings as school resource officers stop using the gloves. The Omaha department agreed.

However, the suburban Bellevue police department, which patrols two Omaha schools, and the large Bellevue district said its officers will continue carrying the gloves. Three other large school districts in the metro area that have Omaha school resource officers assigned to their buildings have not taken action to stop police from using the devices; the Millard, Elkhorn and Westside districts are also patrolled by Omaha officers. A Bellevue schools spokeswoman said the district has a great relationship with Bellevue police and doesn't see a need to alter anything. The Omaha Police Department held a news conference last week in which an officer demonstrated the gloves to show how they can help an officer quickly get control of someone who is refusing commands. Omaha police used the gloves twice during the 2025-26 school year, and Bellevue police have also used them twice in previous years.

At last week's school board meeting in Omaha, about 30 people spoke out against police using the gloves. Residents and board members alike said they were appalled at the practice. No one spoke in favor of it. "I can't even imagine walking down the hallway and seeing a peer of mine being electrocuted in a place that is supposed to be a safe space for students," said Nora Wessel, a senior at Omaha Central High School. adding, "These are adults we are supposed to be able to trust." The Omaha Police Department said officers will continue to carry tasers, batons, OC spray, and firearms.