Tyreek Hill believes he needs to pay a price for what he believes were “excessive” force used by Miami-Dade County police officers against him while he was taken into custody Sunday.
The Dolphins star receiver released a statement through his attorney demanding the firing of the officer – later identified as 27-year veteran Danny Torres – for his actions.
Torres has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
“After a careful and thorough review of multiple body camera and concerned citizen videos that captured the unfortunate incident that occurred between multiple Miami-Dade Police Department officers and Tyreek Hill on Sunday, September 8, 2024, we are demanding the immediate termination of the officers who have been placed on administrative leave.” Hill said through his lawyer, Julius B. Collins..
Hill's comments join a growing number of calls for action against the officers involved in Sunday's incident and echo those of his attorney, Drew Rosenafus, who called for several officers to be fired during an appearance on “The Dan Le Batard Show” on Tuesday.
The Dolphins released a statement Sunday calling for “equally swift and strong action against any officers involved in this despicable conduct.”
The video shows Hill being forced out of his car, placed face-down on the ground and handcuffed, before being grabbed from behind by the neck. By the same officerIt was later revealed to be Torres.
Officers pulled Hill over for going 60 mph in a 40 mph speed zone, 20 mph over the speed limit, and charged him with careless driving and a seat belt violation.
Hill's lawyers previously issued a statement saying they would “explore all legal remedies.”
“On at least two occasions during the traffic stop, the escalating officer placed his hands around Mr. Hill's neck. Mr. Hill was forcibly removed from the vehicle by the officer and forced to lie face-down on the sidewalk,” a statement from Hill's lawyers read. “The officer then placed his knee on Mr. Hill's back and his hands behind his neck. Once Mr. Hill was handcuffed and standing on the sidewalk, he was told to sit down and Mr. Hill notified the requesting officer of his intention to do so, at which point the same officer again grabbed Mr. Hill from behind and forced him to the ground. As he did so, the officer then again placed his hands around Mr. Hill's neck. Even as Hill informed the officer that he had had knee surgery, the officer ignored him and continued to escalate the use of force.”
“All actions taken by law enforcement officers are in accordance with standard operating procedure. We believe the officers' use of force was excessive, escalating and reckless. We demand that the officers be fired immediately.”
Torres is continuing to serve on administrative duties while the internal investigation continues. According to NBC Miami.
Torres' representatives, Ignacio Alvarez and Israel Reyes, issued a statement on Monday calling for his “immediate reinstatement” following the “premature” decision to place Torres on administrative leave. From ESPN.
The statement said Torres would not comment until the investigation was concluded and that they “fully support” the investigation.
Miami-Dade Police Chief Stephanie V. Daniels said the department is “committed to a thorough and objective” investigation.
“We urge all parties to refrain from making any public statements that misrepresent our client's actions and mislead the public about Ms. Hill's detention,” Alvarez said in a statement, according to ESPN.
Hill's statement concluded by expressing hope that something positive would ultimately come from the situation.
“The incident that occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024, is a stark reminder of the reality of the many injustices that members of Black and minority communities face at the hands of police,” the statement said. “While we are not accusing officers of being racist, we condemn police customs and practices that, from a historical perspective, have been discriminatory and oppressive against Black and minority communities. We cannot ignore this fact and remain silent on this issue just because it is a difficult discussion.”
“Hill is committed to furthering the dialogue and actively working to promote change in community-police relations.”
