Body camera footage released on Monday revealed a tense encounter between Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and law enforcement that began over a car window being raised, prompting criticism from the team, which described the police reaction as “despicable.”
In a strong statement issued late Monday, the Dolphins voiced their support for Hill, criticizing Miami-Dade Police officers for allegedly breaching the public’s trust with excessive force during the incident, which occurred near Hard Rock Stadium just before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While the Dolphins acknowledged their generally good relationship with the Miami-Dade Police Department, they expressed disapproval of how officers handled the stop, asserting that some officers misinterpret their duties, leading to unnecessary displays of authority.
The released video shows an officer pulling Hill over for speeding, after which Hill is instructed to move his vehicle forward. The encounter escalates when Hill rolls up his window after being questioned about his seatbelt. The officer, visibly frustrated, demands that Hill keep the window down, threatening to remove him from the vehicle if he does not comply. A second officer joins the confrontation, warning Hill that they may break the window. Ultimately, Hill is forcibly pulled from the car and restrained on the ground.
While on the pavement, officers can be heard reprimanding Hill, emphasizing compliance with their commands. Hill, meanwhile, struggles to explain his perspective, noting that the situation escalated dramatically and expressing disbelief over being treated so harshly for a routine traffic violation.
Following the incident, fellow Dolphins players Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, who witnessed the altercation, attempted to intervene. Campbell, in his effort to de-escalate the situation, ended up being handcuffed by another officer.
Hill’s agent indicated that Hill was cited for reckless driving, but asserted that the actions of the police were inappropriate for the circumstances. The Dolphins’ statement described their disappointment with the violent conduct exhibited by the officers, expressing sorrow and frustration over the incident, while also highlighting the broader implications of such encounters.
Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie Daniels announced an internal affairs investigation into the incident, revealing that one officer involved has been assigned to administrative duties in light of the unfolding inquiry. In response to the criticism, an attorney representing the officer placed on administrative leave called the decision premature and urged for a comprehensive investigation into the situation.