Miami Dolphins Call Officers’ Behavior ‘Despicable’ Following Release of Body Cam Footage From Tyreek Hill Incident

Rebecca Blackwell/AP

The Miami Dolphins accused police officers of being “overly aggressive” during a traffic stop involving star receiver Tyreek Hill.

Hours before the Dolphins opened their season at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hill was pulled over for speeding on his way to Hard Rock Stadium. During the stop, the situation escalated and footage of Hill in handcuffs surfaced online.

Minutes later, Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell saw what was going on from his car and pulled over in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Officers placed him in handcuffs as well.

On Monday evening, the Miami-Dade Police Department released the body cam footage of the officers involved in the incident. After pulling over, Hill rolled his window down and told the officer in front of him, “Don’t knock on my window like that.” The two had a brief back-and-forth before Hill told the officer to hurry up and “do what you gotta do.” The officer took exception to Hill rolling his window up and he was pulled out of the car as a result.

A few hours after the footage was released, the Dolphins released a statement criticizing the officers.

“We are saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct directed towards Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith by the police officers before yesterday’s game” the statement read. “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. ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ is a question that will carry with resounding impact.”

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