Closing Arguments Scheduled in South Bend Police Tapes Case

Logan Foster
Dec 8, 2025
4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

By Logan Foster | Redress South Bend

Dec 9, 2025

For years, officers of the South Bend Police Department (SBPD) used a department phone line that recorded their conversations without their knowledge or consent. A 64-page court document filed on Dec. 1, 2025, titled “The Intervenors’ Trial Brief,” describes in detail how these recordings occurred. It also outlines why the SBPD officers argue that this practice violated both Indiana and Federal Wiretap laws. After more than a decade of litigation, the case is finally set for closing arguments on March 5, 2026, before St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Jamie Woods in Mishawaka.

The Recorded Line (6031) Was Reassigned Without Informing the Officers

According to The Intervenors’ Trial Brief, the phone line at the center of the dispute, known as "6031," was originally recorded lawfully in the early 2000s. It was assigned to Officer Rick Bishop, who worked in a division where calls were routinely captured on the department’s voice logger. Bishop signed a consent form authorizing his recordings.

In 2007, Bishop was promoted to Division Chief of the Investigative Division, now commonly known as the "Detectives Bureau." At that point, he no longer worked in a unit that used monitored phone lines. However, line 6031 remained physically wired into the voice logger.

In 2010, Captain Steve Richmond was promoted to Division Chief of the Investigative Division, taking over from Chief Bishop. Richmond requested to bring his long-used line ending in 7473 with him. Since Bishop had moved to another building, he could not take line 6031 with him. Brian Young was promoted to Captain of the Investigative Division in 2010 and was placed in the office where phone line 6031 was connected. This meant that all of Captain Brian Young's calls were being recorded without his knowledge or consent.

Insight into How the SBPD’s Voice Logger Works

The Intervenors’ Trial Brief identifies the SBPD’s "Voice Logger" as the "Dynamic Instruments Reliance server-based analog recording system."

According to the Brief:

“The Voice Logger could record forty-eight (48) separate channels, with each channel consisting of one phone line, one base station, or one radio channel.”
“The Voice Logger was voice-activated and would record any conversations that occurred on any telephone line hard-wired into the Voice Logger twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”
“To record a particular telephone line, the telephone line had to be hard-wired into the recording system.”

Because line 6031 remained physically connected, it continued to record automatically until it was physically disconnected. This occurred regardless of who used the phone or whether they consented to being recorded.

Recording of 6031 Continued Even After SBPD's Comms Director Discovered the Error

In early 2011, SBPD Communications Director Karen DePaepe accessed the channel assigned to line 6031 and recognized Captain Brian Young’s voice. According to the brief, DePaepe understood immediately that line 6031 should not have been recorded. Yet, the recording of line 6031 and Captain Young's calls continued for “three to four (additional) weeks.” The Brief states that for "three to four weeks," DePaepe did not notify Captain Young, Chief Richmond (Young's Supervisor), the Police Chief, or Internal Affairs about the unauthorized recordings.

Physical Cassette Tapes of Recorded Conversations Surfaced

Three to four weeks after discovering that line 6031 was recording Captain Brian Young’s calls, Communications Director Karen DePaepe notified then Police Chief Darryl Boykins of the unauthorized recordings. According to the Trial Brief, Boykins instructed DePaepe to provide him with selected recordings from the line. The brief states that Boykins intended to review the calls to determine “whether or not he was going to demote, discipline, or even fire those he considered to be disloyal or a backstabber.” The filing also notes that Boykins approved the continued recording of Young’s line for what he described as his investigative purposes.

In 2012, physical cassette tapes containing recorded conversations between SBPD officers were turned over to department leadership. According to a May 2021 cross-examination, DePaepe acknowledged that there were five audio cassettes created, spanning eight conversations.

13 Years of Litigation

The dispute has wound through federal and state courts since 2012. The Seventh Circuit ultimately sent the case back to Indiana courts to determine whether the recordings complied with the Indiana Wiretap Act. The intervenors maintain that line 6031 was never lawfully recorded after Bishop left the assignment for which he consented.

The March 2026 Hearing

Closing arguments will take place at the Civil Division courthouse in Mishawaka. Judge Woods has not indicated when he will rule. However, the hearing represents the closest the case has come to resolution since the recordings were discovered more than a decade ago.

The Implications of the Case

This case raises significant questions about privacy rights and the legality of recording conversations without consent. The implications extend beyond the SBPD. They touch on broader issues of surveillance and accountability in law enforcement. As technology evolves, so too must our understanding of the laws governing it.

The Role of Consent in Recordings

Consent is a crucial aspect of any recording. In many jurisdictions, recording conversations without consent can lead to serious legal consequences. This case highlights the importance of clear policies and practices regarding consent in law enforcement agencies.

The Future of Law Enforcement Practices

As this case unfolds, it may prompt law enforcement agencies to reevaluate their recording practices. Ensuring transparency and accountability will be essential in maintaining public trust. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.

Conclusion

The South Bend Police Tapes Case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between law enforcement practices and individual rights. As the closing arguments approach, many will be watching closely to see how the court addresses these critical issues. The resolution of this case could have lasting effects on the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.