In its statement, the organization said it was “saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct directed toward” Hill on Sunday, urging “swift and strong action against the officers” involved in the incident.
Hill was detained and handcuffed on the ground after being pulled over as he was driving up to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday around 10:20 a.m. ET.
“It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players,” the Dolphins’ organization said.
The statement from the team follows the release of officer body camera footage of the incident by Miami-Dade Police on Monday night.
In the footage, which ABC News has reviewed, a motorcycle officer pulls over Hill and approaches the driver’s side window. Hill rolls down the window and tells the officer to stop knocking on the window.
Hill then asks for his ticket and tells the officer he’s going to be late before rolling the car window back up.
The officer then asks the wide receiver to roll the window down, and Hill cracks it open a little. The officer then tells Hill, “Get out of the car right now. We’re not playing this game.”
When Hill opens the door, the newly released footage shows the officer grabbing Hill’s hand and putting it behind Hill’s head. The officer then appears to drag Hill out of the car.
The videos then shows the officer putting Hill’s face down on the ground with two other officers assisting. One officer has his knee on Hill’s back until Hill is handcuffed, the videos show.
Approximately six minutes into the incident, body camera footage shows an assisting officer looking at Hill’s ID. He can be heard saying, “You know who that is, right?”
The first officer said he didn’t know and then was told Hill was one of the Dolphins’ star players.
In a statement from Hill’s attorney, Julius B. Collins, describing the incident, Collins said Hill “had his window rolled down and that officer then demanded Mr. Hill out of the vehicle even after Mr. Hill complied with that officer’s request to keep his window down.”
Collins said in his statement, “Hill rolled down his window each time he was requested to do so by the requesting officers.” He went on to call the officers’ actions “excessive” and said they were exploring all legal remedies.
“We believe that this matter was escalated due to overzealous officers attempting to impose their authority on Mr. Hill because they were not pleased with how fast he complied with their request and that Mr. Hill did not roll down his window far enough to their liking,” he added.
When asked about the incident after the game, Hill told reporters, “I wasn’t disrespectful… because my mom didn’t raise me that way, didn’t curse, none of that.”
The incident has sparked public outcry and debate, with many criticizing the officers’ actions as excessive force and questioning whether Hill’s status as a professional athlete played a role in the escalation of the situation. The Miami-Dade Police Department has launched an internal investigation into the incident.
Police Union Defends Officers’ Actions
The South Florida Police Benevolent Association, which represents law enforcement officers in the region, has defended the officers’ actions, stating that Hill’s refusal to cooperate with officers led to his detainment.
“He was briefly detained for officer safety, after driving in a manner in which he was putting himself and others in great risk of danger,” Stahl said. “Upon being stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers on scene who, pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs.”
The union’s statement has further fueled public criticism, with many pointing to the lack of evidence of Hill’s alleged dangerous driving and questioning the necessity of using force to detain him. Critics have also argued that the union’s defense of the officers is indicative of a broader culture of impunity within law enforcement.
Dolphins Condemn Officers’ Behavior
In response to the incident, the Miami Dolphins have strongly condemned the officers’ actions, calling them “despicable” and urging the Miami-Dade Police Department to take “swift and strong action” against them.
“We are saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct directed towards Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith,” the Dolphins said, in part.
“It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players, yet it is also a reminder that not every situation like this ends in peace, as we are grateful this one did,” they said.
The Dolphins’ statement highlights the deep concern and anger felt by many about the use of excessive force by law enforcement against Black Americans. The team’s condemnation of the officers’ actions serves as a powerful statement of solidarity with Hill and a call for accountability and justice.
Officer Placed on Administrative Duty
In response to the public outcry, Miami-Dade Police Department director Stephanie V. Daniels said in a statement along with the body camera footage Monday that the “department is committed to conducting a thorough, objective investigation into this matter.”
“We will continue to update the public on the outcome of that process,” Daniels said.
Daniels also said one of the officers involved was placed on “administrative duty.”
The decision to place the officer on administrative duty is a significant step in the investigation, indicating that the department is taking the allegations of misconduct seriously. However, many are calling for more immediate and decisive action, including the termination of the officers involved.
A Deepening Conversation on Policing in America
The incident involving Tyreek Hill has once again brought to the forefront the issue of police brutality and racial disparities in the criminal justice system. While the investigation is ongoing, The incident has sparked a national conversation about the need for police reform and accountability. The incident has also highlighted the deep distrust that many Black Americans have in law enforcement and the systemic bias that exists within the system.
The public is demanding justice for Hill and accountability for the officers involved. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and advocacy in the fight for racial justice and police reform.
