Omaha council approves four school-police agreements

Council action

The Omaha City Council unanimously approved ordinances Sept. 15 establishing annual agreements with four area school districts for officers assigned to designated school buildings.

The agreements cover Omaha Public Schools and other area districts, with each contract negotiated separately. The Westside agreement was amended to add language from state law describing training duties for school personnel and officers, along with their rights and responsibilities. Deputy City Attorney Bernard in den Bosch said the other district contracts had previously been updated with similar language.

In den Bosch also said the agreements do not specify which methods officers may use while carrying out their duties. That leaves equipment decisions outside the terms approved by the council.

Dispute over shock gloves

The vote came weeks after community members and Omaha Public Schools board members objected to shock gloves being issued to school resource officers. The devices had been used twice in OPS schools.

Omaha Police later announced that its school resource officers would no longer use the devices in OPS buildings after Superintendent Matt Ray requested their removal. Officers assigned to Westside Middle School and Westside High School continued to carry them.

Police email records show OPS and other districts were first notified in 2023 about the devices’ potential use. The council approved the purchase of 40 devices for approximately in June 2024. They were issued to Omaha Police school resource officers beginning in the 2024-25 school year.