SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Plans are in the works for South Bend Police to get body cameras.

The department is placing an order for nearly 200 cams.

There's no timeline yet for when the cameras will be put in place, but officials say they'll start taking proposals from body cam companies later this month.

According to SBPD, there was no specific event that prompted the decision as they've been researching the idea for several years.

Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski said in a statement:

“We are committed to our community family, and body cameras will continue our promise of transparency and mutual accountability. Being good stewards of tax payer money, we've been researching the most cost effective way to bring body cameras to the police department our officers have asked for them and we hope to have a winning bid approved soon.”