Board approves probation extensions for several city employees

The City of Miami Personnel Board approved a series of probationary extensions for city employees across several departments during its March meeting.

Actions included: a 12-month extension for Police Officer Alejandro Arsoverai (requested to extend beyond April 25, 2025); six-month extensions for crime-scene investigators Daphne Stephanie Mark and Bridgette Galdano (beyond March 18, 2025); and nine-month extensions for public-service aides Fernando Wesomelina and Jarvette Zungai Arazu (beyond March 25, 2025). Each employee confirmed agreement with the requested extension when asked by the board or staff. Chief Manuel A. Morales was listed as the requesting official on the police department memoranda for the police-related items.

The police officer’s extension was explained as related to a four-month injury and recovery; department staff said that PSA-level positions require completion of field-training (FTO) modules and that several months were needed to complete the full training cycle. The crime-scene investigators and other PSAs were described as still within probationary timelines; each requested extension was granted by voice vote.

Why it matters: probation extensions prolong an employee’s evaluation period and can affect personnel decisions about permanence and scheduling of training. The police department asked for longer probationary periods in several cases to allow staff to complete required field training or to recover from injury.

Supporting details: during each item the board asked the employee to state their name for the record and confirm agreement when present. The board typically used a six-month extension as a baseline but allowed longer extensions when training or medical recovery warranted it. Votes were taken by voice and passed.