(Information in the following story is from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com) http://www.southbendtribune.com)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – High-ranking South Bend police officers have filed a federal lawsuit over the department’s practice of recording officers’ phone calls.

The lawsuit accuses former police chief Darryl Boykins of purposely recording the phone line of former detective bureau chief Steve Richmond to determine whether his division chiefs were personally loyal to the chief.

The suit names the city of South Bend, Boykins, former 911 communications director Karen DePaepe and her attorney, Scott Duerring.

The South Bend Tribune reports that the recordings have been rumored to contain comments from officers making racist comments against Boykins, who is black, and possibly illegal comments. The tapes have not been released to the public.

Boykins resigned as chief in March and DePaepe was fired a short time later for her alleged role.