The board of commissioners, subject to the applicable merit system rules, may establish and maintain a Hospital Security Police Force and may define and prescribe all such peace officers’ duties and compensation. Every security police officer appointed by the board to such Security Police Force, as the same shall be from time to time hereafter constituted, shall have and is hereby vested with police powers, and is hereby authorized to act as a conservator of the peace within and upon any and all hospital facilities operated and hospital premises controlled by such board, and shall have power to make arrests or cause to be arrested, with or without process, any person who breaks the peace, or may be found violating any State statutes or city or county ordinances within or upon such facilities or premises.
     The board may establish reasonable eligibility requirements for appointment to such Security Police Force relating to residence, health, habits and moral character. However, no person may be appointed hereunder unless that person is at least 21 years of age. No person may be appointed to or be retained in the Hospital Security Police Force unless that person is of good character and not a habitual drunkard, gambler or a person convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. All Security Police Force personnel authorized to carry weapons within or upon hospital facilities or premises while on-duty shall receive a course of training in the legal and practical use of such weapons as is required of a police officer under the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act and all such Security Police Force personnel shall also have received the training and certification required by the “Illinois Police Training Act” as now or hereafter amended. Security Police Force personnel shall not carry weapons while off-duty and all weapons shall be checked and secured on the hospital premises while such personnel remain off-duty.