Columbus Police Chief Jon Rohde updated the public on the state of the department at the mayor’s State of the City address last night at Fair Oaks Mall.

He said that an increasingly professional atmosphere in the department is leading to better recruitment and better outcomes for the community.

Rohde cited the department’s accreditation by a national licensing group as a sign of the improving professionalism and outlined other efforts.

Mayor Jim Lienhoop explained the difficulties the police had  recruiting and training new  officers.

Rohde said several changes are helping improve recruitment efforts, including higher pay, a more flexible take-home vehicle program and looser grooming standards that meet more modern expectations.

Columbus police also provided the evening’s entertainment, showing the video the department made last year with JAB Media Group for the nationwide police lip-sync challenge.

More than 250 people turned out for Thursday night’s event.