Hanover Park Police Officer Arrested for Alleged Visa Overstay
Hanover Park police officer Radule Bojovic was arrested by ICE for allegedly overstaying his visa since March 2015, drawing criticism from a DHS official regarding his employment.
Overview
- Radule Bojovic, a Hanover Park police officer, was arrested by ICE for allegedly overstaying his tourism visa, which expired in March 2015, after residing illegally for over a decade.
- DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized a Chicago police department for employing Bojovic, who was arrested by ICE for his alleged visa overstay.
- Bojovic had graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy before becoming a police officer in Hanover Park, where he was later arrested by ICE.
- He was approved by the Pension Fund Board of Trustees in January 2025 with a starting salary of $78,955.70, despite his alleged illegal status.
- Records indicate the Hanover Park Police Pension Fund Board also approved Bojovic, with total taxpayer costs for his employment exceeding $200,000.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by questioning the broader justification for ICE's "Operation Midway Blitz." They highlight the discrepancy between DHS's claims of targeting "the worst of the worst" and the arrest of a police officer trainee with no mentioned criminal history, suggesting a potential overreach or lack of transparency in the campaign.
"Bojovic allegedly overstayed a tourism visa that expired in March 2015, according to the department."
Chicago Sun-TimesArticles (4)
FAQ
Bojovic graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy and was subsequently hired by the Hanover Park Police Department, even though ICE alleges he overstayed his visa and was in the U.S. illegally since March 2015[1][3]. The Hanover Park Police Department publicly announced his graduation and field training commencement, and the Police Pension Fund Board approved his employment in January 2025[3].
Working as a police officer (and possessing a firearm) while unlawfully present in the U.S. is a felony, according to the Department of Homeland Security[1][3]. The DHS assistant secretary specifically stated that it is illegal for an unauthorized alien to possess a firearm, let alone serve as a sworn law enforcement officer.
As of the latest reporting, there is no public statement from the Hanover Park Police Department regarding Bojovic's arrest or any internal review. Major outlets like CBS News and CNN have attempted to contact the department for comment but have not received a public response[1].
The article does not specify the exact background check process for police recruits in Illinois, but it highlights that Bojovic was approved for employment and pension benefits despite his alleged illegal status raising questions about existing vetting procedures[3]. Typically, police departments conduct thorough background checks, but this case suggests a possible lapse or oversight in the system[3].
Bojovic is now in ICE custody and faces possible deportation proceedings due to his alleged visa overstay and unlawful presence in the U.S.[3]. The exact next steps depend on immigration court proceedings, but removal is a likely outcome given the circumstances described in the article[3].
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.