The City of Doral is dealing with a turbulent phase in its law enforcement leadership, marked by the recent dismissals of two senior police officers amid administrative changes. According to 7News, former Deputy Chief Manuel Arrebola was the second high-ranking officer to be ousted from the Doral Police Department in less than two months, an action he attributes to possible political retaliation linked to a dispute involving the previous mayor's pension.
Arrebola conveyed his suspicion about the motive behind his firing, despite not being given a clear reason for his termination. Less than a week after 7News interviewed Jose Seiglie, another former police official who was recently let go from the department and is now suing the city along with Doral Mayor Christi Fraga, seeking $2 million for compensation and reinstatement, Seiglie's fiery departure was characterized by his harsh words for the police chief and deputy chief, expressions for which he was reprimanded before his own dismissal. Seiglie described his forcible removal from his duties, in which he was escorted home to gather his uniform “like if I was some kind of freaking criminal,” also stating his tenure of over 40 years in law enforcement in an emotionally charged statement to 7News.
While Arrebola and Seiglie's terminations are individual in nature, both coincided with significant administrative shifts within the city's government structure. A CBS Miami report highlighted the major shakeup in the Doral police force shortly after the arrival of a new city manager.
In response to inquiries about Arrebola's firing, Doral City Manager Rey Valdes refused to elaborate on personal matters, stating, “As a matter of personal policy, I do not discuss personnel matters.” While the undertow of these personnel changes reflects unresolved tensions and the challenge of navigating the entangled web of city politics, law enforcement leadership, and the professional fates of long-serving officers still remains, neither Mayor Fraga nor Police Chief Edwin Lopez had provided comments regarding the recent dismissive actions by the time of reporting, according to 7News.
