Tyreek Hill Calls for Officer’s Termination Following Traffic Stop Incident
Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins wide receiver, has publicly demanded the termination of a Miami-Dade police officer after he was detained during a traffic stop outside Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. In a statement issued by Hill’s attorney, Julius Collins, it was emphasized that both Hill and Collins believe the officer’s use of force was “excessive, escalating, and reckless.”
The officer in question, identified by the Miami-Dade Police Department as Danny Torres, a veteran with 27 years of service, has been reassigned to administrative duties while an investigation is conducted into the incident.
During the stop, Hill was en route to the stadium for the Dolphins’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Body-worn camera footage released by the police shows a dramatic confrontation where Hill was forcibly removed from his vehicle and placed on the ground by the officers.
The video footage reveals that as police approached Hill’s car, he rolled up his window after a brief exchange. The officers instructed him to keep the window down, and when he did not comply fully, one of the four officers opened the car door and pulled Hill from the vehicle by the back of his neck. He was then placed face-down on the street while the officers handcuffed him.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Hill received citations for careless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.
In their statement, Hill and Collins pointed out that the officer “placed his hands on or around” Hill’s neck on at least two occasions and disregarded Hill’s mention of having recently undergone knee surgery. They asserted that “the officer ignored his statement and continued his escalation in his use of force.”
They further stated, “The events that transpired on Sunday, September 8, 2024, serve as a stark reminder of the numerous injustices faced by Black and minority communities at the hands of law enforcement.” While they refrained from accusing the officer of racism, they criticized the historical customs and practices of law enforcement as being discriminatory and oppressive. “We cannot overlook this reality and remain silent simply because it is a difficult conversation,” they added.
Hill concluded the statement by expressing his commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting positive changes in community-police relations. This sentiment echoed a post he shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, urging, “Let’s make a change.”
In defense of Officer Torres, attorneys Ignacio Alvarez and Israel Reyes argued that the decision to place him on leave was “premature,” but they also supported Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie Daniels’ call for a comprehensive review of the incident. They stated, “We call for our client’s immediate reinstatement, and a complete, thorough, and objective investigation, as Director Daniels has also advocated.”
On Monday, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, which represents police officers, expressed support for the officers involved in the encounter. They stated, “We stand with the actions of our officers.” The association emphasized their ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between community expectations and law enforcement capabilities, and they look forward to open communication as the investigation proceeds.
Since the incident, Hill has received support from his coaches and teammates. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel shared his concerns on Monday, stating, “It has been hard for me not to find myself more upset the more I think about it.” He stressed the importance of gathering all pertinent information before making any premature judgments, acknowledging that the feelings expressed to him regarding the incident were indeed unsettling. “Despite the adversity, I’m extremely proud of our teammates for standing together and for recognizing the civic responsibilities that come with their platform,” he added.
(Photo: Rich Storry / Getty Images)
