2024-09-11 09:55:02
Miami-Dade County police on Tuesday identified the officer placed on leave after Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained over allegations of careless driving and failure to wear a seat belt.
Danny Torres, a 27-year veteran, has been taken off the streets and placed on administrative duty as the department’s internal affairs investigators probe the matter, police said in a statement.
An attorney for Torres could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
Hill was accused of the violations that carry penalties of $179 for careless driving and $129 for failing to wear a seat belt, copies of the tickets showed.
Hill was behind the wheel of a black 2018 McLaren on westbound Northwest 199 Street about 10:40 a.m. Sunday, the citations showed.
The traffic stop was in the shadow of Hard Rock Stadium, with police bodycams and fans with cellphones capturing the moment Hill was handcuffed and placed face down on the pavement.
The Dolphins have decried the officers’ actions, calling it “despicable behavior” and a use of “misguided power.”
Both citations were signed by an officer “M. Batista” with badge No. 9771.
Hill told NBC News on Monday that he was wearing his seat belt while he was driving and took it off as he was being pulled over.
He said he was being cooperative and accused police of overreacting.
“It just went from 0 to 60, man, from the moment that those guys pulled up behind me, knocked on my window, it went from 0 to 60 immediately,” Hill said, adding that he called team security officials from the car during this pullover.
Miami-Dade County Chief of Public Safety James Reyes, who oversees the police department, said police swiftly released body camera video and are committed to transparency.
“The actions displayed on video clearly do not meet the standard we expect from law enforcement, and are deeply concerning,” Reyes said in a statement.
He said there will be accountability for any misconduct identified in the investigation.