Omaha Public Schools Requests Omaha, Bellevue Police Cease Use of GLOVEs in District Schools

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, Superintendent Matthew Ray sent messages to the City of Omaha, Omaha Police Department, City of Bellevue and Bellevue Police Department requesting that SROs cease use of Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters, or GLOVEs, at any Omaha Public Schools location.

Both departments had assigned GLOVEs to SROs, who work in middle and high schools across multiple metro school districts.

 

Read Superintendent Ray’s Message to the Omaha Public Schools Community

Dear Omaha Public Schools community, 

Nothing is more important than the health, safety and well-being of every student we serve. 

Nothing. 

To me, to our Board of Education, to our 9,000 dedicated staff members. 

When I learned last week that School Resource Officers were equipped with “Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters,” or GLOVEs, I had countless questions and concerns. Just as I know our Board, staff, students and families did. 

We sought answers and accurate information. 

We’ve had open and frank conversations with Omaha Mayor John Ewing and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. 

We’ve heard community input and concern.    

We listened. 

Today, we communicated with both Omaha Police and Bellevue Police to request that School Resource Officers (SROs) no longer be authorized to carry GLOVEs on any Omaha Public Schools premises.  

We recognize our long-standing relationships with law enforcement partners and the important role SROs have in promoting school safety. 

Continued use of GLOVEs would be counterproductive to our work together. 

As we heard at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, students must be safe and feel safe. 

Tomorrow, we welcome students for the 2026-27 school year.  

Serving our community is a privilege and a responsibility we take most seriously. 

We have important, tough conversations. 

And we stay grounded in our mission. 

We are relentlessly focused on doing better for every student we serve.  

Strengthening student experiences. 

Fostering deeper connections with families. 

Improving outcomes. 

We are ready for the new year.  

Thank you to our staff who make it happen. 

Thank you to our families who entrust us with your children. 

It is an honor to be part of our district community. 

 

Matthew 

 

Review Omaha Public Schools letters to the City of Omaha, Omaha Police Department, City of Bellevue and Bellevue Police Department

• Letter to the City of Omaha and Omaha Police Department
• Letter to the Douglas County Sheriff
• Letter to the City of Bellevue and Bellevue Police Department

 

Read Superintendent Ray's Aug. 19 Follow-Up Message to the Bryan Middle and Bryan High Community

Dear Bryan Middle and Bryan High staff, students and families,

Tuesday, we communicated with staff and families across our district about “Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters,” or GLOVEs.

We communicated with both Omaha Police and Bellevue Police, calling for SROs to no longer carry GLOVEs on Omaha Public Schools premises.

Most of our middle and high schools are in the City of Omaha, with Omaha Police providing SROs. Bryan Middle and Bryan High are in Bellevue, staffed by Bellevue Police SROs.

The Bellevue Police Department has declined our request. SROs will continue to carry GLOVEs, just as all Bellevue Police officers working across the city do.

As we shared Tuesday, we value partnerships with law enforcement in promoting school safety. The protection of our students and staff is paramount. We consider use of the GLOVEs to be counterproductive to our work together.

We value open communication and wanted you to have this information. It is important you hear directly from us.

School and district leaders will continue to engage with partners and monitor this closely. As we said Tuesday, safety is our top priority. Students must be safe and feel safe.

As we begin the new school year, we are grateful for the privilege of serving you.

 

Matthew