Dan RorabaughUSA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Tyreek Hill has called for the firing of the Miami-Dade police officer on administrative leave after his detainment before the Miami Dolphins' game on Sunday.
The Dolphins' star receiver was pulled from his car and forced to the ground twice, once on his chest and once into a sitting position on the curb outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The bodycam video that quickly went viral showed police shouting at Hill, as well as teammates Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith, who arrived later.
The Miami-Dade Police Department put the officer, later identified as Danny Torres, on administrative duties as it conducts its internal investigation. Attorneys representing Torres requested his reinstatement to his usual duties on Tuesday. And Friday, newly released personnel records showed Torres has been the subject of multiple complaints for use of force and conduct unbecoming of an officer.
Tyreek Hill calls for Miami police officer to be fired
Tyreek Hill spoke to reporters Wednesday, reiterating that the officer should be "gone."
"He gotta go," Hill said.
Tyreek Hill explains what he'd do differently in incident with Miami Police
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill doubled down on the fact that he wants to see the officer that detained him fired, but also explains how he would have handled himself differently.
Sports Pulse
He reiterated those sentiments in an interview that aired before Thursday's game vs. the Buffalo Bills on Amazon Prime. "When I was handcuffed behind my back, the officer was pinching me on my neck, like trying to get me to do something to him, which is crazy," Hill said to Taylor Rooks. "Next-level crazy."
Hill's attorney, Julius Collins, released a statement Tuesday night demanding Torres' firing "effective immediately." This follows earlier statements by Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, saying Hill was considering litigation.
"Each action that a law enforcement officer take (sic) is governed by standard operating procedures," the statement reads. "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 events that occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024, are just a reminder of the realities of the many injustices that people of black and minority communities face at the hands of law enforcement. While we are in no way accusing the officer of being racist, we are accusing the customs and practices of law enforcement from a historical standpoint of being discriminatory and oppressive to black and minority communities. We cannot ignore this fact and remain silent on the issue just because it's a tough conversation."
Who is Officer Danny Torres?
The Miami-Dade Police Department released the name of the officer placed on administrative duties as Danny Torres, a 27-year police veteran. In the bodycam videos of Hill's detainment, Torres has been identified as the officer with a black compression shirt under his uniform.
A Miami New Times story looking into Torres' online presence shows he is an avid biker and part of the Gunfighters Motorcycle Club, which describes itself as "a national and international law enforcement motorcycle club" made of current and retired police officers. The article also says Torres DJs on the side under the name DJ DNO, and that he was injured in an on-duty traffic accident in November 2020 that left him in a coma for a month.
Torres is listed as a representative of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents Miami-Dade police. The SFPBA has backed Torres' actions, saying Hill was "uncooperative."
On Tuesday, attorneys representing Torres said in a news release that he should be returned to his regular duties while the internal affairs investigation continues. "We call for our client’s immediate reinstatement, and a complete, thorough, and objective investigation, as (Miami-Dade police) Director (Stephanie) Daniels has also advocated," the release states. "Our client will not comment until this investigation is concluded and the facts are fully revealed."
On Friday, a public-records request led to the release of Torres' employee file, showing he has been suspended six times. He also has received four written reprimands, though one was later rescinded. Torres also has been formally commended 32 times, including as recently as 2023.
What did Tyreek Hill do to get stopped?
Tyreek Hill was cited with reckless driving and a seatbelt violation after being pulled over outside Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday morning before the Dolphins' game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Police bodycam footage showed Hill being forcibly removed from his car as he calledDrew Brooks, Dolphins head of security. Video shows Torres forcing Hill tolie face-first on the pavementwhile being handcuffed, and later forcing him via chokehold to sit on the curb.
Hill will owe about $300 in fines for the citations.
How fast was Tyreek Hill speeding?
Copies of the police citation were released Tuesday, showingHill was driving about 60 mph. The speed limit outside Hard Rock Stadium where Hill was stopped is 40 mph.
Was Tyreek Hill arrested? What's the difference between arrest and detainment?
Tyreek Hill was handcuffed Sunday, but he was not arrested. An arrest would mean being sent to jail and processed there.
Miami-Dade police detained Hill for about 15 minutes Sunday before letting him go. He played in the Dolphins' season-opening game, recording seven catches for 130 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.
Contributing: Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post; and Tom Schad, USA TODAY
