‘Excessive, escalating and reckless’: Tyreek Hill’s lawyer calls for officer’s firing

The attorney representing Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill called for the firing of the officer reassigned after the NFL standout was handcuffed, grabbed by the neck and pinned down with a knee outside Hard Rock Stadium — a few hours before the season-opener Sunday.

“We are of the opinion that the officer’s use of force was excessive, escalating and reckless,” Hill’s attorney Julius Collins said in a statement Wednesday. “We are demanding that the officer be terminated effective immediately.”

Miami-Dade police identified the officer as Danny Torres, a 27-year veteran of the department. Torres was placed on administrative duty after he and three other officers were involved in pulling Hill over for what they cited as speeding.

The traffic stop escalated and was caught on cellphone footage shot by passing drivers near Hard Rock on Sunday morning ahead of the Dolphins’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

READ MORE: Police name cop reassigned after Tyreek Hill handcuffed. Attorney wants him reinstated

Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie Daniels placed Torres on paid administrative duty after reviewing the body-camera footage. Daniels vowed to investigate how the stop escalated between officers and the All-Pro wideout.

Torres earned about $171,000 as a county police officer last year, including $39,000 from overtime pay, according to a county database.

Torres’ attorneys Ignacio Alvarez and Israel Reyes demanded “a complete, thorough, and objective investigation” on Tuesday, requesting that the officer be immediately reinstated.

‘Many injustices’

According to Collins, Hill was yanked out of his black McLaren 720S by Torres, who later placed his knee in Hill’s back and his hand around Hill’s neck. Moments later, Torres grabbed Hill from behind and shoved him to the pavement.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade cops release body-cam footage after Tyreek Hill cuffed before game. Take a look

In the statement, Collins said that the Dolphins star’s treatment was “a reminder of the realities of the many injustices that people of black and minority communities face at the hands of law enforcement.”

“We cannot ignore this fact and remain silent on the issue just because it’s a tough conversation,” Collins said. “Mr. Hill is committed to furthering the conversation and being active in promoting change in community and police relations.”

This story was originally published September 11, 2024 at 10:36 AM.

Grethel Aguila

Miami Herald

Grethel covers courts and the criminal justice system for the Miami Herald. She graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!), speaks Spanish and Arabic and loves animals, traveling, basketball and good storytelling. Grethel also attends law school part time.