Hanover Park police officer detained by ICE returns to active duty

Hanover Park police announced Tuesday that Montenegro-born police officer Radule Bojovic has returned to full-duty status after being detained in October by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agents.

Because Bojovic’s Oct. 31 release on bond wasn’t contested, and he remains authorized to work by the federal government, police officials said they determine the officer is eligible for duty.

Department leaders previously stated that Bojovic’s hire in January was made in full compliance with federal and state law.

Officials said Bojovic presented the village with a valid Work Authorization Card issued by the federal government’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, both FBI and Illinois State Police background checks revealed no criminal history, officials said.

Bojovic returned to active duty Monday, and village will provide him back pay for the time he was on administrative leave.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security contended in October that Bojovic had overstayed a tourist visa that required him to depart the country by March 31, 2015. Federal officials said it is a felony for an undocumented immigrant to possess a firearm.

Hanover Park police leadership refuted those claims.

“The village also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Jan. 5, 2024, that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty,” Deputy Police Chief Victor DiVito said the time.