The South Bend Common Council has voted to approve the new Special Victims Unit agreement with Mishawaka.

The decision comes after a similar vote by the Mishawaka Common Council last week. The agreement creates a partnership between the communities due to the personnel shortages that led to the end of the Metro Homicide Unit.

Legal Advisor Troy Warner told WNDU that this allows the SVU unit to function but still provide as many officers on the ground as possible in South Bend. Multiple agencies and organizations are working together to make the agreement work.

The bill now moves on to the County Council and Board of Commissioners.