Future goals voiced in the Elkhart mayor’s State of the City Address

ELKHART, Ind. -- Two focal points of Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson’s State of the City Address on Wednesday were improving the city’s police department and lowering the area's COVID-19 case counts.

Mayor Roberson voiced his concern on Elkhart County returning to the red category for COVID-19 cases.

The mayor also discussed how efforts will be made to alter the culture that currently exists within the Elkhart Police Department.

A new use of force policy has been implemented with the goal to gain back the trust of Elkhart citizens.

"To expand accountability and transparency, we began the year with Axon body cameras and squad cameras, which included training our staff on the appropriate use and the scope of equipment capabilities,” said Mayor Roberson.

Mayor Roberson added that 2021 was a year of "tremendous growth" for the city of Elkhart.