Resident urges policy requiring same‑sex officers for frisks after two incidents described in public comment

Carl Aldridge, a Second Ward resident, told the City Council during public comment that he witnessed two traffic stops involving women that he described as excessively invasive and called for a city policy requiring same‑sex officers to perform frisks. “I’m requesting that with men, frisk men, and women, frisk women here in Kankakee,” Aldridge said, adding, “They went in between her legs and they did grapple her.”

Aldridge said the incidents included a stop of a woman he described as coming from the gym and a separate incident in which an officer used chemical spray and physical restraint after the woman asked repeatedly for a female officer. He characterized the actions as assault in one case and said a later investigation in another jurisdiction found the officer’s conduct “went too far” despite a judge ultimately ruling otherwise.

The remarks came during the meeting’s public‑comment period. Aldridge did not present documentation or a formal petition to the council; he said he would ask staff to draft ordinance language so the council could consider a rule requiring same‑sex officers for frisks. No council motion or formal action on the topic was recorded at the meeting.

Why it matters: If the council were to pursue an ordinance or policy requiring same‑sex officers for searches and frisks, it would touch police procedures, officer staffing and training, and lawful search standards. Aldridge urged the council to act now “so we could be preemptive here in Kankakee, not proactive.”

Council response and next steps: The transcript records Aldridge’s request and the mayor and clerk enforcing the 3‑minute public‑comment limit; there was no council discussion, referral, or vote on Aldridge’s request recorded that night. The transcript does not show staff presenting an existing written policy on same‑sex searches or specifying whether the Kankakee Police Department has a standing procedure. Council members or staff who want to pursue the request would need to place it on a future agenda for committee review, which would allow staff to present any current department policy, legal constraints, and enforcement implications.

Clarifying details: Aldridge identified himself as living in the Second Ward and spoke during public comment; he asked the mayor to put an ordinance before the council. He described both incidents in narrative form but did not provide body‑worn‑camera evidence or police reports during the meeting. The transcript does not record any follow‑up action by the council that evening.