Nebraska’s largest school district asks police to stop using electric shock gloves on students

Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray requested that police working in the schools, known as school resource officers, stop using the gloves. Omaha Police agreed.

OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha police agreed this week to stop carrying gloves that can deliver electric shocks to students in the halls of Nebraska’s largest public school district.

The Omaha mayor and police chief said in a joint statement Monday that the gloves were used twice in the last school year, including in a program for students with learning deficits.

“We believe it is the safest use-of-force option in the rare times when it is used,” the statement said.

Then came community pushback and a request from the Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray that police working in the schools, known as school resource officers, stop using the gloves. Late Tuesday, Omaha Police agreed, saying they “will adhere to that request.”

The decision affecting most Omaha middle and high schools came after The Associated Press first revealed Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s plan to give officers the gloves, which are known as G.L.O.V.E.s or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters. The devices have also been used in recent years by some jails.