‘Lowest level of force that we have’: Program demonstrates shock gloves, uses it on volunteering teens
By Waverle Monroe
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OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — Some school resource officers in Omaha-area school districts are using shock gloves to manage dangerous situations, a controversial tool that some districts have adopted while others have rejected.
The G.L.O.V.E was designed to help officers gain compliance quickly and reduce the risk of injury.
John Stuck, co-creator of the Tactical Athlete Program, trains school resource officers (SROs) and other agencies on how to use the gloves.
“We’re trying to do it as quickly as you possibly can, again, lowering the risk of injury to a child,” Stuck said.
Stuck described the shock gloves as “the most effective tool” he has seen in his 30 years of law enforcement.
The program not only trains officers but also demonstrates the gloves’ effects.
During a training session, a 16-year-old named Oscar experienced the gloves firsthand.
“He grabbed my arm, and then I felt this really intense shock, buzzing and did not like it. Yeah, it hurt. I immediately complied,” Oscar said.
Oscar added that the pain didn’t last long.
“Do you feel anything else?” Stuck asked.
“No,” Oscar replied.
“Did your body lock up?” Stuck asked
“No,” Oscar said.
Kylie, a 15-year-old, also tried the gloves.
“It kind of felt like a burning sensation, but it didn’t hurt where I would start screaming,” Kylie said.
Stuck explained that the gloves are designed to minimize harm compared to previous methods of gaining compliance, such as physically forcing arms out or striking motor nerve points.
“Some of the other things we deal with is when we get people turtled down on the ground with their hands underneath them,” Stuck said. “We would try to hit motor nerve points on the body to try and get some compliance.”
Kylie said the experience was enough to deter her from wanting to try it again.
“I didn’t want to do it again,” she said.
KETV anchor and reporter, Waverle Monroe, also tested the G.L.O.V.E, describing the pain as sharp but short-lived.
“The whole thing lasts about three seconds,” Monroe said. “Once the glove was off, the pain was gone in an instant.”
Stuck emphasized that the gloves are designed to be a low-level force option.
“This is the lowest level of force that we have in what we use,” he said.
Jason Cvitanov, vice president of operations at Complete Tactical Consultants, said the gloves are safe and effective.
“The problem gets solved literally in seconds, and then we’re out of the incident, and that is a distinct advantage to everyone involved,” Cvitanov said.
After families voiced frustrations about the gloves being used in Omaha Public Schools, the superintendent asked the Omaha Police Department not to use them.
However, districts like Bellevue Public Schools and Westside Community Schools will have the gloves.
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