The traffic stop of Tyreek Hill, a superstar Black wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, could have ended in tragedy. After viewing the bodycam video released by the Miami-Dade police, I found several opportunities to deescalate the situation that should be used as a teachable moment. The bodycam video could be used as a tool to teach law enforcement best practices, deescalation, compassion and cultural sensitivity since it seems the traffic stop for minor infractions is here to stay.
Each police department has a core set of values that guides officers. The Miami police values include integrity, respect, service and fairness. The department is committed to ethical conduct, truthfulness and high performance standards. Were those values evident in Hill’s traffic stop? The video shows officers dragging him from his vehicle and throwing him to the pavement because he did not comply with the officer’s order to keep his window down. An officer had a knee on his back, and they put handcuffs on him. Hill was not a threat, and he had no weapon on him. The officers’ actions showed a lack of deescalation training, compassion and respect.
A 2023 Traffic Stops Data Report issued by Impact for Equity and Free2Move Coalition showed racial disparities in Chicago traffic stops continued in 2023, with Black and Latino drivers being disproportionately stopped and arrested. “Black drivers comprised 51.2% of people pulled over despite Black people making up less than 30% of the city’s residents,” the report notes. The traffic stop in Humboldt Park of Dexter Reed, a Black man, led to his death. The officers fired 96 bullets in 41 seconds, hitting Reed 13 times, reportedly after Reed fired first. They allegedly stopped Reed because of a seat belt violation, even though the vehicle had heavily tinted windows.
The union representing Miami-Dade police officers issued a statement suggesting that Hill was uncooperative and the officers’ actions were justified. I disagree with that assessment. Hill and the officers had opportunities to deescalate the situation. However, Hill seemed frustrated because he was stopped, and the officer was tapping on his window. He told the officer to write the ticket so that he could go.
If stopped by police, citizens should give them the utmost respect to do their job. Hill could have complied with the officers’ request to leave his tinted window down. But both Hill and the officer appeared to become aggressive. Hill did not appreciate the officer tapping on his window. The officer seemed agitated by Hill’s unwillingness to roll the window down. This led to other officers pulling Hill out of the car in an unprofessional way. The officers must understand the dehumanization of Hill further erodes trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
The bodycam video does not show any Black police officer at the scene. Perhaps a Black officer could have helped deescalate this situation.
How can police departments and citizens learn from the Hill traffic stop?
I remember being stopped by a white state trooper in Indiana as I was heading back to the University of Dayton School of Law, I rolled down my window and kept my hands on the steering wheel. I greeted the officer in a very nice way. My tone was one of great respect. The officer told me he pulled me over because I was speeding. I apologized for speeding. He asked where I was going — I told him back to school. He requested my driver’s license, and I complied. The state trooper came back to my car and said he would just give me a warning.
A number of things happened in my interaction with the state trooper. I was polite, and he was as well. I answered his questions and complied with his orders. He ran my driver’s license and did not find anything and let me go on my way.
As a citizen, being pulled over by the police can be a traumatic experience. However, it can be a safe experience if you stay calm, respectful and follow the officers’ instructions. Also, do not exit your vehicle unless the officer directs you to do so. Roll your window down and keep your hands on the steering wheel in plain sight. Do not make any sudden moves. Once the officer requests your driver’s license, advise him where it is located. Do not argue with the police. If you believe the police acted unprofessionally or violated your constitutional rights, file a complaint with the police department and seek legal counsel.
Law enforcement and community members must find a way to lower the temperature when an interaction occurs. The community and police need each other. We need professional, competent, compassionate police to keep order and solve crimes. Citizens cannot determine how police will respond during a traffic stop or interaction — but we can control our response.
Kennedy Bartley, one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top aides, referred to police as “f—ing pigs” in a 2021 podcast responding to the killing of a Black person in Colorado, according to Fox affiliate WFLD-Ch. 32. This language is unacceptable and should never be used, especially by people in leadership positions. Her language is divisive and demeaning.
Being a police officer is one of the highest callings. Police have a difficult job to do under some extraordinary circumstances. They put their lives on the line every day and run toward danger to protect and serve. Notably, police who violate their oath and harm citizens should be fired and prosecuted.
Our challenge is to unite and build bridges across communities and police departments. The Hill traffic stop and bodycam video give us an opportunity to learn — if we are willing.
Richard Boykin is a former Cook County commissioner.
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