A Hanover Park police officer was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this week, accused of overstaying a tourist visa by more than a decade. But village officials insisted he had valid federal work authorization forms.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said ICE was conducting targeted enforcement operations in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday, when they arrested 25-year-old Radule Bojovic, who is from Montenegro, and was living in the U.S. on a tourist visa that expired March 31, 2015.

“Radule Bojovic violated our nation’s laws and was living ILLEGALLY in the United States for 10 years—what kind of police department gives criminal illegal aliens badges and guns? It’s a felony for aliens to even possess a firearm. A law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.

Bojovic hasn’t worked at the Hanover Park Police Department for long. A Facebook post from the department in August announced his academy graduation. At the time, he was set to begin “an intensive 15 weeks of field training.”

In the photo, Bojovic posed with Hanover Park police Chief Andrew Johnson and Deputy Chief Matt Riedel.

According to ICE, Bojovic provided his employee identification card, confirming he is a police officer with the Hanover Park Police Department when he was detained. He allegedly told agents he wasn’t carrying weapons “because he’s only authorized to carry his firearm while on duty.”

In a statement, the Hanover Park  Police Department said it hired Bojovic in January “in full compliance with federal and state law.”

“Before hiring Officer Bojovic, the VIllage confirmed that he was legally authorized by the federal government to work in the United States. At the time of his hire, Officer Bojovic presented the Village with a Work Authorization Card, which was issued by the federal government’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The card was valid and recently renewed.”

Police also said Bojovic passed a full background check, including a reviw of his criminal history with both the Illinois State Police and FBI. They said a memo from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Jan.5, 2024, confirmed his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.

“The bottom line is that all information we received from the federal government indicated that Officer Bojovic is leaglly authorized to work in the United States as a police officer. Clearly, without that authorization, the Village would not have hired him. Additionally, the Village has not received any notice from any federal or state agency that his work authorization status has ever been revoked,” police added. 

Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the immigration proceedings against him. Police said, if he is allowed to stay in the U.S. and remains authorized to work here, he will be returned to full duty status.