Police Officer’s History of Aggressive Behavior Raises Questions
Bodycam Video Reveals Officer’s Behavior During Traffic Stop
The Miami-Dade Police officer who got physical with Dolphins player Tyreek Hill during a traffic stop outside Hard Rock Stadium in September has been repeatedly disciplined and suspended after other people complained he became aggressive against them for no good reason, according to internal affairs records obtained by NBC6 Investigates.
Officer’s Prior Disciplinary Actions
Officer Danny Torres, a 27-year veteran placed on administrative duty after body cameras captured his behavior during the pre-game encounter, was told a 10-day suspension in 2019 was justified because his “pattern of behavior indicated that you have repeatedly failed to adhere by departmental rules and procedures,” according to a disciplinary report.
Documents Released by the Department
Documents released by the department shed light on that 10-day suspension imposed in 2019 for a 2018 incident and two other suspensions imposed in 2017 for incidents in 2014 and 2015.
Previous Incidents
In August 2018, a man named Hector Montalban honked his horn at an officer he believed was driving recklessly and followed her into a Kendall parking lot to voice his complaint. The officer said the driver blocked her from one parking space, so she chose another nearby, with Torres and other officers gathered outside a bakery noticing the commotion.
Torres’ Actions
Torres “screamed” at Montalban, ordered him out of his vehicle for a “pat down” search, and asked why he was “harassing” the other officer, adding “I should arrest you for this.” Montalban apologized for calling the officer “terrible,” but Torres was not done, and demanded he produce his driver’s license, which Montalban said was not damaged when he turned it over to Torres.
Internal Investigation
Internal investigators did not have evidence – such as body camera video — supporting the allegation that one of the officers intentionally damaged the driver’s license to justify the citation, so it was not sustained. If they had, investigators wrote, it could have been a crime – criminal mischief – if not something more serious. So, the matter was referred to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office as a criminal investigation, but nearly five months later the state declined to prosecute, allowing the internal investigation to go forward.
Torres’ Defense
Torres denied damaging the license and told investigators he turned his camera off to save battery, saying “this is common practice… due to the number of interactions” he has with people during his shift. A panel reviewing the case concluded “Officer’s reason for non-compliance is a violation of current departmental policy.”
Conclusion
The repeated disciplinary actions against Officer Danny Torres raise questions about his behavior and whether he is fit to serve as a police officer. The incidents detailed in this article suggest a pattern of aggressive behavior and disregard for departmental rules and procedures. The Miami-Dade Police Department should take these incidents seriously and consider taking further action against Officer Torres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the traffic stop involving Tyreek Hill?
A: Officer Danny Torres got physical with Tyreek Hill during a traffic stop outside Hard Rock Stadium in September.
Q: Has Officer Torres been disciplined before?
A: Yes, Officer Torres has been disciplined multiple times for his behavior, including a 10-day suspension in 2019 and two other suspensions in 2017.
Q: What were the incidents that led to Officer Torres’ previous suspensions?
A: The incidents included a 2018 incident where Torres allegedly damaged a driver’s license, a 2014 incident where Torres made contact with a couple during a landlord-tenant dispute, and a 2015 incident where Torres allegedly used excessive force against a woman during a verbal dispute.
Q: Has the Miami-Dade Police Department commented on the incident involving Tyreek Hill?
A: A spokesperson for the department declined to comment on the incident since the investigation is ongoing.
