Judge will decide if S. Bend must release records

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A prosecutor’s office in northern Indiana is asking a judge to order the city of South Bend to turn over records of its internal investigation into a police officer accused of inappropriately touching two women while on duty.

The South Bend Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/xLS6pW ) that an assistant city attorney argues that internal affairs records cannot be disclosed because they involve confidential personnel records. Prosecutors said they believe the records could show whether the officer, Jeffery Chester, has a history of misconduct.

The 26-year-old Chester is charged with two counts of felony official misconduct and two counts of misdemeanor battery. He has pleaded innocent and has a May trial date.

The police department conducted an internal investigation into the allegations and placed Chester on unpaid administrative leave.