Miami-Dade County police have announced the identity of the officer who has been placed on leave following the detention of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Officer Danny Torres, a veteran with 27 years of service, has been reassigned to administrative duties while the internal affairs division conducts an investigation into the incident.
Hill was pulled over for allegations of careless driving and not wearing a seat belt, which carry fines of $179 and $129 respectively, according to ticket documentation. The traffic stop occurred on Sunday at approximately 10:40 a.m. on Northwest 199 Street, near Hard Rock Stadium. Video footage from police body cameras and bystanders captured the moment Hill was handcuffed and placed face down on the ground.
The Miami Dolphins organization condemned the incident, referring to it as “despicable behavior” and highlighting concerns over the use of “misguided power.” The citations issued were signed by Officer M. Batista, badge number 9771.
Hill stated in an interview with NBC News that he was wearing his seat belt while driving but unfastened it when the police stopped him. He described the interaction as unnecessarily aggressive, claiming it escalated quickly once officers approached his vehicle. Hill mentioned that he contacted team security during the traffic stop.
James Reyes, Miami-Dade County’s Chief of Public Safety and the head of the police department, emphasized a commitment to transparency, saying that the department promptly released body camera footage. He expressed concerns about the actions depicted in the video, noting they do not align with the standards expected from law enforcement. Reyes affirmed that there would be accountability for any identified misconduct.