School police officers in Omaha’s largest school district have been banned from using stun-gun gloves—devices previously used on students that sparked outrage among parents and the public—according to department spokesperson Neal Bonacci.
Following the controversy, Omaha police halted the use of the stun-gun gloves by school officers, and the devices have been confiscated, RIA Novosti reports.
The device in question is known as the G.L.O.V.E. Before using it, an officer was required to issue verbal commands and warnings, then put on the glove and make contact with the person’s skin. It delivers an electric shock ranging from 324 to 362 volts for a duration of one to 15 seconds.
The controversy surrounding the G.L.O.V.E. erupted after news emerged that the gloves had been used on students; Omaha police deployed them twice during the previous school year.
“The gloves have been taken away from Omaha Public Schools officers. There are currently no plans regarding these gloves,” Bonacci stated.
The decision applies only to the public schools in Omaha’s largest district, where administrators demanded the removal of the controversial devices. In three other school districts, city police officers remain equipped with the gloves, although they are also authorized to use other tools while on duty in schools, including standard Tasers, pepper spray, batons, and firearms.
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