Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is demanding the dismissal of Miami-Dade police officer Danny Torres after Hill was detained and handcuffed during a traffic stop on Sunday.
Hill’s attorney, Julius Collins, issued a statement calling for Torres’ immediate termination. The statement, reported by ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, criticized the officer’s conduct: “Each action that a law enforcement official take(s) is governed by standard operating procedures. We are of the opinion that the officer’s use of force was excessive, escalating, and reckless. We are demanding that the officer be terminated effective immediately.”
The incident occurred near Hard Rock Stadium just hours before the Dolphins’ Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hill was released after being detained and went on to play in the game. The Miami-Dade Police Department released body-camera footage of the incident on Monday.
Hill reported that he was unsure of the reason for his detention. According to officers, the stop was due to “speeding” and “reckless driving.” Police estimated Hill’s speed at about 60 mph, which is 20 mph over the limit, as per citations released Tuesday, according to Tom Schad of USA Today.
Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also called for action against the officers involved. “I think the police officers that did that to Tyreek shouldn’t be in that position. They should be let go,” Rosenhaus stated on Tuesday. “Look at the guy that just kicked him right there. That guy should be fired. That’s out of control.”
The legal team for Officer Torres reached out to Hill earlier this week to offer an apology, but Hill declined the request, according to Louis-Jacques.
Hill acknowledged that he could have handled the situation better, particularly in the moments before he was handcuffed and removed from his vehicle. “I will say I could have been better,” Hill said, according to the Associated Press. “I could have let down my window in that instant. But the thing about me is, I don’t want attention. I don’t want to be cameras-out, phones-on-you in that moment. But at the end of the day, I’m human. I’ve got to follow rules. I’ve got to do what everyone else would do.”
Miami players Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith arrived shortly after Hill’s detention. Campbell was also handcuffed while attempting to de-escalate the situation.
The Dolphins have released a statement urging the Miami-Dade Police Department to take “strong action” against the officers involved in the incident.
