Omaha school district bans police shock gloves after communication gaps surface

Key points

• OPS Superintendent Matthew Ray requested that OPD and Bellevue Police stop carrying G.L.O.V.E. shock gloves in district buildings, citing safety concerns and counterproductive effects on student trust.
• OPD agreed to the request, but Bellevue Police Chief Ken Clary refused, stating the gloves are a proven, less-harmful alternative to other force options.
• Internal emails obtained by WOWT and KETV show that OPS school safety supervisor Donald Morrison was aware of the gloves since January 2023, contradicting Ray’s claim that he was uninformed until August 2026.
• The gloves were used twice in the 2025-2026 school year: once on a student at Omaha South High School and once at the Integrated Learning Center for special education students.
• The Omaha City Council approved the purchase of 40 gloves for $66,000 in June 2025 via a consent agenda, with no public opposition at the time.

Background

This controversy emerged after the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to equip ICE agents with similar G.L.O.V.E. gloves, drawing national attention to the technology. Prior to this, Omaha had been one of the few school districts using the devices, with OPD purchasing them in 2025. The issue gained local traction after parents and students raised concerns at an August 2026 school board meeting, prompting OPS to request a ban.

How outlets are covering it

OPD and Bellevue Police defended the gloves as a less-lethal, effective tool for de-escalation, with Chief Schmaderer stating that OPS had been informed through its school safety supervisor. OPS and community advocates, including the Omaha Education Association and parents, argued that the gloves were a counterproductive use of force that eroded trust and that the district leadership was not properly informed. WOWT and KETV highlighted the communication gaps, noting that while the school safety supervisor was aware, Superintendent Ray claimed ignorance, and the purchase was approved via a consent agenda without public debate. The Arc of Nebraska and disability advocates raised concerns about the impact on students with medical or developmental disabilities.

Why it matters

The case raises broader questions about the transparency of law enforcement equipment procurement, the role of police in schools, and the need for meaningful community input in decisions affecting student safety. It also highlights the potential risks of using less-lethal force on students, particularly those with disabilities, and the importance of clear communication between school districts and police departments.

What to watch

OPS will continue to review its communication protocols with law enforcement, while Bellevue Police will maintain the use of G.L.O.V.E. gloves in its schools. The Omaha City Council may consider changes to its consent agenda process to ensure greater public debate on significant purchases. Further investigations into the use of the gloves and their impact on students may follow.