The St. Joseph County Police Department, Mishawaka Police Department, South Bend Police Department, and St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office have reached a tentative agreement to modify the interlocal agreement which forms the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit.

In this modification, while the multi-jurisdictional Special Victims Unit will continue to investigate and prosecute child physical and sexual abuse, child neglect and exploitation, and adult sex crimes, the individual jurisdictions will investigate matters involving domestic violence.

The new interlocal agreement adjusts staffing requirements for the partner agencies to alleviate ongoing staffing shortages at the South Bend Police Department. Mishawaka Police Department and St. Joseph County Police Department will provide one officer each to the unit.

SBPD will provide two sworn officers to the unit and provide funding for three additional positions within the unit.

Those additional positions will be hired by the St. Joseph County Prosecutors Office.

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to provide deputy prosecuting attorneys and support staff for the unit, along with the Commander of the Investigative Unit.

The Mishawaka Common Council approved the agreement on Monday evening. The St. Joseph County Council and South Bend Common Council will consider the new agreement at upcoming meetings.