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Omaha Police Chief Maintains Stance on Shock Gloves for School Resource Officers Despite OPS Request

Omaha Police Chief Maintains Stance on Shock Gloves for School Resource Officers Despite OPS Request

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has stated that his opinions regarding the use of shock gloves by school resource officers (SROs) have not changed, following a meeting with Omaha Public Schools (OPS) leaders. Earlier this week, OPS requested that both Omaha and Bellevue police departments cease carrying these gloves in district buildings. The Omaha Police Department (OPD) agreed to this request for OPS buildings, but Bellevue Police Department declined, asserting that their SROs would continue to carry the gloves in schools under their jurisdiction. Chief Schmaderer indicated that OPD had informed OPS about the low-voltage shock gloves three years prior, and at that time, no opposition was raised by the district. Internal emails spanning from January 2023 to August 2026 show communication about the 'Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter' (G.L.O.V.E.) technology primarily involved one OPS employee, Donald Morrison, the school safety supervisor. Superintendent Matthew Ray's name does not appear in the emai...

Omaha Family Mourns Father Shot and Killed in Home Incident

Omaha Family Mourns Father Shot and Killed in Home Incident

Lashawn Lessley Jr. was fatally shot while sitting on his couch in Omaha, Nebraska, when someone fired through a window near 28th and Titus. The incident occurred on a Sunday, and Omaha police are actively searching for the individual responsible for his death. Cindi Bloomer, the mother of Lessley's children, described the event as happening "all so fast." Lessley's family remembers him as a "family man" and a "free spirit" who "lived life to the fullest." His 8-year-old daughter, Janiyah Lessley, expressed profound grief, stating her father was a "great man" and "meant the world to me." The community is grappling with the loss, and the family is advocating for an end to gun violence.

Nebraska's Largest School District Requests Police Cease Electric Shock Glove Use on Students

Nebraska's Largest School District Requests Police Cease Electric Shock Glove Use on Students

Omaha police have agreed to stop using electric shock gloves, known as G.L.O.V.E.s (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters), on students within Nebraska's largest public school district. This decision follows a request from Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray, who learned about the devices recently. The Associated Press initially reported on Immigration and Customs Enforcement's plan to equip officers with these gloves, which have also been used in some jails. While Omaha police will discontinue their use in most Omaha middle and high schools, the suburban Bellevue police department, which patrols two Omaha schools and the larger Bellevue district, stated its officers will continue to carry them. Three other large school districts in the Omaha metropolitan area, which also have Omaha school resource officers assigned to their buildings, have not yet taken action to prevent police from using these devices. Emails from 2023 indicate that Omaha police had previously notified districts about their intention to equ...

Bellevue Police Department Rejects OPS Request to Remove Shock Gloves from School Resource Officers

Bellevue Police Department Rejects OPS Request to Remove Shock Gloves from School Resource Officers

The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) has denied a request from Omaha Public Schools (OPS) to prohibit School Resource Officers (SROs) from carrying Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters (G.L.O.V.E.s), commonly known as shock gloves, in Bellevue schools. This decision comes a day after the Omaha Police Department (OPD) agreed to a similar request from OPS for its SROs. OPS Superintendent Matthew Ray communicated to staff and families in Bryan Middle School and Bryan High School, both located in Bellevue, that SROs there would continue to be equipped with the gloves. BPD Chief Ken Clary stated that the department has utilized shock gloves for over 3.5 years, asserting their effectiveness and lower potential for injury compared to other tools like tasers, chemical spray, or batons, especially in a school environment involving juveniles. Clary emphasized that officers are trained in their use and that the gloves often achieve compliance without needing to deliver a shock. The issue gained public scrutiny after...

Omaha's largest school district stops officers from using electric shock gloves on students

Omaha's largest school district stops officers from using electric shock gloves on students

Omaha’s largest public school district has stopped law enforcement officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks in their work policing students

Omaha School District Requests Police Cease Use of Electric Shock Gloves on Students

Omaha School District Requests Police Cease Use of Electric Shock Gloves on Students

The Omaha Public Schools district has formally requested that police officers assigned to its schools, known as school resource officers, discontinue the use of electric shock gloves. This decision follows revelations by The Associated Press regarding the use of these devices, known as G.L.O.V.E.s (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters), which can deliver electric shocks. Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray stated he learned about the gloves the previous week, although local television station KETV found emails from 2023 indicating Omaha police had notified districts of their intent to equip officers with these gloves. The Omaha Police Department has agreed to the district's request. However, the Bellevue police department, which patrols two Omaha schools and the Bellevue district, stated its officers would continue to carry the gloves. Other large school districts in the metro area with Omaha school resource officers have not yet taken action.

Omaha's largest public school district stops officers from using electric shock gloves

Omaha's largest public school district stops officers from using electric shock gloves

Omaha’s largest public school district has stopped law enforcement officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks in their work policing students

Omaha Public Schools and Police Disagree on Communication Regarding Shock Glove Use by SROs

Omaha Public Schools and Police Disagree on Communication Regarding Shock Glove Use by SROs

A communication breakdown has emerged between Omaha Public Schools (OPS) and the Omaha Police Department (OPD) regarding the use of electric shock gloves, known as G.L.O.V.E.s, by School Resource Officers (SROs). OPS Superintendent Matthew Ray stated he was unaware of the gloves' deployment, asserting that district leadership and the board should have been informed. However, emails obtained by KETV Investigates reveal that communication about the shock gloves began in January 2023, with an OPD lieutenant introducing them to several school districts, including OPS. The emails indicate that an OPS school safety supervisor was included in these communications and was reportedly 'already aware' of SROs at Bryan Middle and High School possessing the gloves. OPD Chief Todd Schmaderer defended his department, stating the communication breakdown was not on their end and expressed frustration over what he described as an 'unnecessary and undeserving vilification' of the SRO program.

Omaha Public Schools Board Expresses Concern Over Police Use of Shock Gloves in Schools

Omaha Public Schools Board Expresses Concern Over Police Use of Shock Gloves in Schools

The Omaha Public Schools (OPS) board and community members have voiced significant concerns regarding the Omaha Police Department's (OPD) use of low-voltage shock gloves, known as G.L.O.V.E.s (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), within school environments. The OPD recently demonstrated these gloves, which are designed to deliver a low-voltage shock. The community's apprehension centers on the appropriateness and potential impact of such devices being carried by police officers in schools, raising questions about student safety, disciplinary practices, and the overall atmosphere within educational institutions. This discussion follows a demonstration by the Omaha Police, bringing the issue to the forefront of public and board attention.

Nebraska Attorney General Sues Omaha Over Local Minimum Wage Ordinance

Nebraska Attorney General Sues Omaha Over Local Minimum Wage Ordinance

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against the City of Omaha to prevent the implementation of its new minimum wage ordinance. This legal action follows a similar lawsuit against the City of Lincoln, where a district judge has already blocked its ordinance. The Omaha ordinance, set to take effect on October 1, aims to maintain the 2022 voter-approved annual adjustment to the minimum wage based on inflation and prohibits paying workers less than $15 per hour, with a $13.50 training wage for 16- to 19-year-olds for their first 90 days. The Attorney General's office argues that these local ordinances constitute a 'power grab' and violate state law, which sets a 1.75% annual growth rate for the minimum wage and allows for a lower youth minimum wage. Hilgers asserts that the state Legislature has the final say on minimum wage matters, considering it a 'statewide concern.'

Kellogg's Omaha Plant to Lay Off Remaining Employees Ahead of August Closure

Kellogg's Omaha Plant to Lay Off Remaining Employees Ahead of August Closure

Kellogg's Omaha Plant to Lay Off Remaining Employees Ahead of August Closure

Nebraska Attorney General Sues City of Omaha Over Minimum Wage Ordinance

Nebraska Attorney General Sues City of Omaha Over Minimum Wage Ordinance

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against the City of Omaha, challenging the constitutionality of its new minimum wage ordinance. This legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed by Hilgers against the City of Lincoln regarding its minimum wage measure. The Attorney General contends that these ordinances represent a 'power grab' by the state's two largest cities. The dispute arises after state lawmakers established a 1.75% annual growth rate for the minimum wage and permitted employers to pay 14- and 15-year-old workers $13.50, a reduction from the current $15 minimum wage. The City of Omaha's ordinance aims to reinstate the minimum wage increases that Nebraska voters approved in 2022, which were subsequently modified by state senators. City Attorney Matt Kuhse stated that Omaha is a home rule charter city and is prepared to defend the ordinance, asserting its legality and enforceability. Kuhse emphasized that the city is addressing the needs of its citizens, which he believes is ...