INDIANAPOLIS | Public and private hospitals could establish their own police forces under legislation approved 29-18 Monday by the Indiana Senate.
Senate Bill 582, co-sponsored by state Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, authorizes the governing boards of Hoosier hospitals to create hospital police departments.
Hospital police officers would have the authority to enforce the law, including the power to make arrests, but only on hospital property — unless their off-property assistance were specifically requested by a municipal police chief or county sheriff.
The legislation, which now goes to the House, also permits hospital police to enforce traffic laws on roads adjacent to or running through hospital property.
Candidates would be required to take an eight-week training course through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy to become a hospital police officer.
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