Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department have been accused of making racist and derogatory remarks on secretly recorded audio.

Chief Jim McDonnell Tuesday called details of a whistleblower's complaint alleging racism and discrimination by officers in the Los Angeles Police Department's Recruitment and Employment Division a "major setback" and pledged that appropriate action will be taken.

A complaint reviewed by The Times accuses officers of voicing open discrimination against potential recruits and colleagues based on race, sex and sexual orientation.