Dolphins' Hill Detainment Footage Released

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Facts

  • Body-camera footage released Monday shows Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) officers removing Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill from his car during a traffic stop near Hard Rock Stadium before Sunday's football game.[1]
  • Police released more than 105 minutes of footage, which shows Hill's car being pulled over for alleged speeding. A dispute over whether Hill's window should remain open leads to police removing him from the car, pinning him to the ground, and handcuffing him. Later, an officer requests Hill sit down before another one pushes him down.[2]
  • Hill, who was released in time to play in the game, told CNN on Monday that he was 'still kinda shell-shocked' from the incident. He speculated that he wasn't moving at the officers' desired pace due to injuries but was following their instructions.[3]
  • Calais Campbell, Hill's teammate, was also cuffed after he stopped by the scene and later told reporters he had tried to de-escalate the situation. Teammate Jonnu Smith was also at the scene.[3]
  • In a statement, the Dolphins said they 'are saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct' directed at their players. The team said it's 'grateful' this incident had a peaceful ending and urged the MDPD to take 'swift and strong action against the officers.'[3][4]
  • The MDP said one of the involved officers had been reassigned to administrative duties. The South Florida Police Benevolent Association said Hill wasn't arrested but was 'briefly detained for officer safety' and because he 'was not immediately cooperative' after being stopped, the officers cuffed him 'pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety.'[5]

Sources: [1]USA Today, [2]NPR Online News, [3]Newsweek, [4]FOX News and [5]New York Times.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by NBC and Axios. This is a continuation of the MDPD's troubled history with black citizens. A recent report even showed black defendants are overrepresented in the county's criminal justice system. These officers overstepped their authority to teach Hill a lesson rather than gain his cooperation, and they should be stiffly disciplined. Further actions are necessary to bring about reform in the MDPD.
  • Right narrative, as provided by Breitbart. The body-camera footage makes it clear that condemning these officers for their actions is unfair — Hill was in the wrong because he didn't comply with the officers' directions. No one has the right to ignore police instructions, especially when hiding behind tinted car windows. Instead of sympathy, Hill should receive criticism for trying to take advantage of his celebrity status.