Attorney for police officer involved in Tyreek Hill case speaks out
Tom Schad, USA TODAY
Updated September 10, 2024 at 4:22 PM
One of the police officers involved in the
detainment of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was
placed on "administrative duties" Sunday while the Miami-Dade Police Department investigates his actions.
Now, attorneys for the officer are arguing that such a move was "premature" and requesting that their client be returned to his usual role.
"We call for our client’s immediate reinstatement, and a complete, thorough, and objective investigation, as Director Daniels has also advocated," attorneys Ignacio Alvarez and Israel Reyes said in a news release Tuesday. "Our client will not comment until this investigation is concluded and the facts are fully revealed."
On Tuesday, Miami-Dade police confirmed that the officer in question was Danny Torres, a 27-year veteran.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) throws the football before preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium.
Spokespeople for the Miami-Dade Police Department did not immediately reply to questions about the officer and his attorneys' request that he be reinstated.
The department's director, Stephanie Daniels, said in a statement Sunday that she had initiated an investigation into the officer through the department's internal affairs office. She said she is "committed to transparency and accountability to the community with any situation involving my officers."
Sunday's encounter between Hill and police caused a jarring scene just outside Hard Rock Stadium, hours before Hill and the
Dolphins faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season-opener. And the officers' actions have come under scrutiny − particularly their use of force during what otherwise appeared to be a routine traffic stop.
On Monday evening, Miami-Dade police released more than an hour of
footage from body-worn cameras on the scene, which showed officers forcefully pulling Hill from his McLaren after he rolled up his window during the interaction. The officers removed him from the car, took him to the ground and handcuffed him for more than 15 minutes. He repeatedly complained about knee pain during the encounter.
Hill later acknowledged to officers that he had been speeding but criticized them for escalating the situation by pulling him out of his car and putting him in handcuffs. He was eventually allowed to leave the scene after being cited for careless driving and driving without a seatbelt.
"They said I was speeding, reckless driving or whatever," Hill said in a news conference after racking up 130 receiving yards in Miami's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. "I wasn’t raised like that to name drop. If you said I did something, write me a ticket and do whatever you have to do. But don’t be disrespectful.
ROD
2 hours ago
Being late for work is not an excuse for speeding and reckless driving. I think we have seen the devastating results from past NFL players who do not respect public safety, especially considering the traffic conditions and number of pedestrians near the stadium.
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Ken Weber
1 hour ago
From the videos it looks like Hill caused the escalation bye not listening to the officer with the don't beat on my window over and over and getting louder. He was doing it on purpose not to comply. He would not get out of the car when told when i know he clearly was aware of the command. Anyway being pulled out of the car was his fault. The officer should be reinstated.
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ERIC
39 minutes ago
He may not have been the nicest person, but no...he did not cause the altercation. It was caused by the police not having the slightest notion of people's rights. You present your ID -- he did so. No, his window doesn't have to be down -- in many states, you present. That is all you need to do. It isn't a reason to force someone out of their car and onto the ground. His friend was also arrested for nothing -- people have a right to watch, to record, to observe....and the High Court has said repeatedly that 10 feet is sufficient distance. Any officer who says "when an officer tells you to do something, you do it" should be fired. Immediately. Unlawful orders are given all of the time.
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RLG
7 minutes ago
Hill knew he was being pulled over, why was the window not down, have his DL , Ins, and Registration ready to present, I know why I'm "Tyreek "Freakin" Hill you don't tell me what to do, guess he found out.
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Frank
31 minutes ago
With the darkened windows a police officer has no idea what is going on inside the car with the window up. First thing that comes to mind is a gun.
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ERIC
7 minutes ago
this idea of risk free policing must end -- it puts all of us at risk