Indiana Code Title 36. Local Government § 36-10-3-10

(1) exercise general supervision of and make rules for the department;

(2) establish rules governing the use of the park and recreation facilities by the public;

(3) provide police protection for its property and activities, either by requesting assistance from state, municipal, or county police authorities, or by having specified employees deputized as police officers;  the deputized employees, however, are not eligible for police pension benefits or other emoluments of police officers;

(4) appoint the necessary administrative officers of the department and fix their duties;

(5) establish standards and qualifications for the appointment of all personnel and approve their appointments without regard to politics;

(6) make recommendations and an annual report to the executive and fiscal body of the unit concerning the operation of the board and the status of park and recreation programs in the district;

(7) prepare and submit an annual budget in the same manner as other executive departments of the unit;  and

(8) appoint a member of the board to serve on another kind of board or commission, whenever a statute allows a park or recreation board to do this.