The Omaha Public Schools district has suspended use of electric shock gloves in schools following confirmation that the devices were deployed on two students during the 2025-26 school year.
The Omaha Police Department announced Tuesday that school resource officers would no longer use the Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (G.L.O.V.E.) in district facilities, pending further review. The decision follows a public outcry at a Monday board meeting, where parents, students, and community members demanded the technology’s removal.
Two confirmed incidents involving the devices were detailed by Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer and Mayor John Ewing on Tuesday. The first occurred at Omaha South High School, where a student allegedly fighting with a security guard was detained after attempting to flee. Officers stated the glove was applied to the student’s wrist for approximately two seconds during the encounter.
The second incident took place at the district’s Integrated Learning Program, which serves students with social, emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. Police reported that a student made threats, threw a chair striking a security guard, and punched the guard before the glove was deployed twice.
District response and policy shift
Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Logan confirmed the district had requested the police department cease use of the devices in schools. The suspension applies to all school resource officers, who had previously carried the G.L.O.V.E. as a discreet de-escalation tool in school environments.
Lt. Neal Bon of the Omaha Police Department emphasized that officers were properly trained on the device’s use, describing it as a low-risk option for specific scenarios. However, the department did not provide additional details on the training protocols or the threshold for deploying the technology.
Background on the G.L.O.V.E. device
The G.L.O.V.E. is an electrical shock device designed to deliver a controlled, low-voltage pulse through physical contact. The technology gained national attention in recent weeks after reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) planned a major purchase of the devices for use in immigration enforcement.
The Omaha incidents mark the first confirmed use of the G.L.O.V.E. in a K-12 school setting, raising questions about the appropriateness of such tools in educational environments. The devices have previously been associated with immigration detention facilities and law enforcement agencies, where their use has sparked controversy over concerns about excessive force and potential misuse.
Next steps and community reaction
The Omaha Public Schools board has scheduled a special meeting for Friday to discuss the policy change and potential long-term restrictions on the devices. Community advocates have called for a full ban, citing concerns about student safety and the psychological impact of electric shock devices.
Police officials have not indicated whether the suspension is temporary or permanent, stating only that the review process is ongoing. The decision follows a broader national debate over the use of electronic control devices in settings involving minors, including schools and juvenile detention centers.