Nebraska's largest school district gets police to stop using shock gloves

Police in Omaha have agreed to stop carrying electric shock gloves in most schools within Nebraska's largest public school district. The devices, formally called "generated low output voltage emitters," drew public attention after the Associated Press reported that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement planned to equip its officers with them; some jails have also used the gloves in recent years.

Omaha Public Schools superintendent Matthew Ray asked school resource officers on August 18 to stop using the gloves, and Omaha police agreed two days later. However, the Bellevue police department, which patrols two Omaha schools and its own large Bellevue district, said it will keep using the devices. Three other large metro-area districts served by Omaha school resource officers have taken no action on the matter.

Ray said he only learned of the gloves the week before his request, though a local television station found 2023 emails in which Omaha police had informed districts of plans to equip officers with them.

At a school board meeting, about 30 people spoke against the gloves and no one spoke in favor. A high school senior said the devices undermine trust between students and resource officers, while a school-safety consultant warned that "less than lethal doesn't mean low risk," urging clearer rules on issues such as students with disabilities.

Omaha's mayor said police have honored the district's decision to opt out; officers will still carry stun guns, batons, pepper spray and firearms. Omaha paid roughly $66,000 in 2025 for 40 gloves. The gloves were used twice in Omaha schools this school year and twice previously by Bellevue police. Bellevue's police chief said his department will continue using the gloves, calling them a safe and effective tool.