Police Profile 1: Retired GPD Lt. Lugo (#411)
On February 4, 2025, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) made a Facebook post to commemorate the retirement of Lieutenant Ariel Alexei Lugo.
The post reads, “After dedicating over 28 years to Alachua County and the City of Gainesville, Lt. Lugo is retired from the Gainesville Police Department. His leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our community have left an incredible impact.
We don’t say goodbye—we say, see you later! Lt. Lugo, your smile, kindness, and passion for service will be deeply missed, but your legacy will always remain.”
According to a 2023 GPD internal investigation recently obtained by GnvInfo, Lugo submitted a use of force investigation without reviewing the body-worn camera (BWC) footage of the incident.
In October 2022, Corporal A. Stemen forward a review to Lugo regarding Officers Joseph Crews and Justin Snitselaar’s use of force when stopping a theft suspect.
The internal investigation states, “Corporal J. Crews improperly used his patrol car door to strike a fleeing suspect [on a bike]…. During their attempts to detain [the suspect], they used several expletives, such as ‘Get on the fucking ground,’ ‘Give me your fucking hands, right now,’ and ‘If you keep putting your fucking hands in your waist, I'm gonna tase your ass.’ During his arrest, [the suspect] stated several times ‘I can't breathe.’ [The suspect] also alleged his chest hurt and he was in pain from his sciatic nerve damage. EMS was not requested to respond to the scene….While enroute to the hospital, Officer Snitselaar put down all the windows, turned music on at a high volume, and turned off his [body worn camera (BWC)]. Once they arrived at the hospital, Officer Snitselaar turned his BWC back on and asked [the suspect] to exit the patrol car. [The suspect] was not exiting and Officer Snitselaar proceeded to grab [his] arm and pulled him from the back seat, stating, ‘I'm done playing your fucking games.’ Officer Snitselaar turned his BWC off shortly after arriving at the hospital.”
Internal Investigator Tracy Fundenburg reported, “Nine minutes after receiving the review, Lieutenant Lugo forwarded the Use of Force Review to Captain V. Young, noting, ‘For your review. I agree with findings….’ The BWC Audit Logs indicated Lieutenant Lugo did not view any BWC videos before forwarding the Use of Force Review…. Lieutenant Lugo did not speak with any involved officers, nor did he review any BWC or in-car camera videos associated with this incident.
After interviewing Lugo, Fundenburg reported the following:
“Lieutenant Lugo said he had no concerns with the review and did not speak with Sergeant Stemen before he forwarded his comments…. When asked, Lieutenant Lugo stated he was unaware, at the time, of what was expected of him when a Use of Force Review was forwarded to him. He said he was reading Sergeant Stemen's Review as if it was an incident report that needed to be approved or denied. He added, ‘Nobody had ever trained me or told me. In all the supervisor trainings that I ever sat in, they never said, 'When you do a Use of Force Review, your responsibility is to go through and watch all the things over again.' Redo it, because that's basically what we're doing. We're redoing what the original supervisor did. I did not know that.’ Lieutenant Lugo said he did not know how many Use of Force Reviews he had completed but had not done any prior to his promotion to lieutenant (January 24, 2022). He stated that Captain Fanelli did speak with him at a later date because he had forwarded a review with similar comments, and Captain Fanelli told him what was expected of him. Lieutenant Lugo said that since his conversation with Captain Fanelli, he has reviewed videos, reports, etc.
I asked Lieutenant Lugo if he had read GPD General Order 1.5 Response to Resistance (formally Use of Force) as it relates to his responsibilities as a supervisor, and he said he had, but not in sometime. Lieutenant Lugo said he had not received any training, while employed with the Gainesville Police Department, on the use of a patrol vehicle door as a non-lethal or improvised weapon.
When asked if he had any concerns with the BWC video, Lieutenant Lugo said, ‘I mean, I could see how it looks, pretty, you know, it looks like he may have. But, I mean, you really can't; it's difficult.’
We then viewed Officer Snitselaar's [in-car video (ICV)]. After watching the ICV and BWC video, Lieutenant Lugo stated that had he reviewed the ICV prior to forwarding the review to Captain Young, he would have spoken with Sergeant Stemen and Corporal Crews.
Lieutenant Lugo stated he believed Corporal Crews was ‘tunneled in’ on [the suspect] and ‘unfortunately, errors happen.’ He explained, ‘Maybe the intent was not to hit [the bicycle], but maybe he bumped it.’
Lieutenant Lugo is aware of the GPD Rules of Conduct policy as it relates to contact with the public. However, in Lieutenant Lugo's opinion, he believes there's a difference in calling someone an ‘MF'er’ (Mother Fucker) and Corporal Crews trying to ‘drive the point home.’
Lieutenant Lugo explained that officers can ask someone to do something, but sometimes, when using the word ‘Fuck,’ the individual has a better understanding of the immediate need to comply.
Lieutenant Lugo is also aware of the policy related to those in custody who say ‘I can't breathe.’ Lieutenant Lugo said he heard [the suspect], on the BWC video, repeatedly say he couldn't breathe and was aware [the suspect] was taken to the hospital but did not review the timeline of when that happened….
Lieutenant Lugo explained that although Sergeant Stemen stated Corporal Crews got ahead of [the suspect], Sergeant Stemen failed to document Corporal Crews' previous actions before the arrest… Lieutenant Lugo stated he was responsible for Sergeant Stemen's review because he had not provided any training in the completion of Use of Force Reviews.
Lieutenant Lugo said he did not review Officer Snitselaar's BWC prior to this interview. I explained a couple of statements made by Officer Snitselaar. I then showed him the video of Officer Snitselaar telling [the suspect] ‘If you don't stop, I'm going to roll the windows down. You're annoying,’ and then transporting [the suspect] to the jail with the windows down and music on.
When asked if he had any concerns with Officer Snitselaar's actions, Lieutenant Lugo said, ‘These officers are very frustrated.’ He added, ‘I feel like these officers, they're cracking. They're just so frustrated, so worn out, that they're just acting out… when they don't need to. They're not keeping their cool heads. I mean, everyone's aware of the crisis of the staffing we have now. We have ten of them showing up to do this job, and they've had it. And this is proof.”
Lugo received a written warning and remedial training.
Lugo began working for GPD in 1996.
In the early 2000s, Lugo left GPD and worked for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and the Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD).
Lugo left ACSO after two years and resumed employment with GPD before parting ways again in 2006 to start a business.
In 2007 Lugo got a job at the Center Hill Police Department (CHPD) in Sumter County.
Lugo’s personnel file states his separations from GPD were voluntary and did not involve any misconduct.
Lugo has a few alleged misconduct violations from his early career at GPD, with some being sustained and others being unfounded. GPD Records told GnvInfo, “Per Internal Affairs, any cases prior to 2014 are no longer available due to retention.”
In October 2007, Lugo left CHPD, and then he left SFPD the following month.
Lugo took a break from police work until February 2009, when he rejoined GPD.
In 2010, Lugo was placed under investigation by GPD internal affairs for alleged improper contact but no misconduct was found.
Lugo wasn’t subject to any internal affairs investigations from 2011 until 2023.
A 2016 performance appraisal of Lugo states he “obtained furniture for a pregnant student who had become homeless. In addition, he helped a homeless student graduate high school who had been arrested for robbery by taking her school work to the jail, assisted her with food, and the legal system. In addition, while assigned to Loften High School, he noticed that there was a Loften school student whose utilities had been turned off due to nonpayment. The youth is at-risk and has had many run-ins with law enforcement. Despite this, Cpl. Lugo saw the need and paid the GRU bill to have service returned to the student and his mother's apartment…. These selfless acts have benefited many needy families and has served to put the Gainesville Police Department in a good light."
Lugo was voted Supervisor of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2022 after be nominated by Lieutenant Robert Koehler.
Koehler reported, “Sergeant Lugo is assigned as one of two sergeants on the School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit. He manages 11 SROs and due to staffing shortages he is often forced to juggle supervisory duties while staffing a school as a fill-in. He is not above doing anything that is required to help. Whenever a difficult assignment is given to the unit he will either volunteer to do it or volunteer to do the most undesirable task required to complete the assignment. He is hands on with his team but in a way that supports and does not micromanage. Because his officers work in schools all around the city he travels to engage in face to face time with them and listens to them. He understands their aspirations and helps them work toward them. He understands their concerns and helps address them.”
Koehler gave specific examples of Lugo’s actions, which he stated as grounds for the nomination:
“On [January 16, 2020], Sergeant Lugo heard detectives requesting help while trying to intercept an individual who had just battered his pregnant girlfriend and was wanted for drug sales. Sergeant Lugo was first on the scene and assisted Sergeant Griffin in taking him into custody as he was trying to escape on a Greyhound bus.
On [March 13, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was working with an SRO when he heard a hit and run call in the area involving a white sedan. The car’s direction of travel may have taken it by the school so he pulled up video to look at the streets adjacent to the school and saw a white sedan dragging a bumper go by. He canvassed the area the car fled. He located the rear bumper of the car during the canvas and a witness who saw the suspect pulling it off along with the tag. The tag came back to a stolen car. A suspect was developed and arrested.
On [April 4, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed due to Covid 19 and responded to an armed affray involving a large group of youth. He quickly determined that the armed member of the affray had fled after a pregnant female disarmed him. Sergeant Lugo canvassed the area and saw a potential suspect trying to lay low by a park bathroom. He contacted the [white male] who admitted he was the subject.
On [April 12, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed due to Covid-19 and saw what appeared to be a truck that had been reported stolen recently parked in front of a house. He was able to determine the truck was the one reported stolen but determined the home was the victim’s. Apparently the victim had recovered the car on his own and not notified police. Had the truck not been taken out of the system and gone mobile, the victim could have been the subject of a felony traffic stop, which could endanger both the victim and the officers.
On [April 25, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed due to Covid-19 and investigating a fight. He heard of a residential burglary in progress and came out with a suspect who had run toward a nearby Walmart. The suspect was not located, and after finishing his investigation into the fight, Sergeant Lugo went to the Wal-Mart. By this time a still of the suspect was sent to officers. Sergeant Lugo spoke to the Walmart LPO, who said he thought the subject had been in front of the store just earlier. Sergeant Lugo reviewed store footage and saw the suspect. He tracked his movements as he exited the property and noted him wearing distinctive sneakers. He canvassed the neighborhood the suspect had exited into and saw a person wearing similar shoes but different clothes. He contacted the individual who was identified as the suspect and arrested.
On [April 26, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed due to Covid-19 on patrol. From the road he saw an occupied vehicle parked at an apartment complex that matched the description of a car on the stolen vehicle log he reviewed earlier. He noted the tag and confirmed it belonged on the stolen car. He turned around, and the car was gone. He located the car abandoned nearby with the door left open. He established a perimeter and helped a K9 operator track. A suspect was located in the area who confessed, stating he had seen Sergeant Lugo patrolling and had parked at the apartment complex in an attempt to hide from him.
On [May 16, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed to patrol due to Covid-19. During the status report reading, he noted that an officer had developed [probable cause] to arrest an individual for domestic violence and for child abuse (2-year-old victim). Through research he developed a list of potential locations the suspect was laying low at. He located the suspect’s car at one of these locations and set up surveillance with patrol. During the surveillance, the suspect was seen entering the car and leaving. The vehicle broke containment temporarily, but Sergeant Lugo soon located it mobile. He stopped the car, and officers took the suspect into custody.
On [May 21, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed to patrol due to Covid-19 and responded to a reported robbery. A good suspect description was [sent], but the direction of travel was unknown. Sergeant Lugo began canvassing the area and located a female matching the description about 10 blocks away. The investigating officer did show up, and the female was positively identified.
On [May 22, 2020], Sergeant Lugo was redeployed to patrol due to Covid-19 and saw a burglary of a parks recreation area call on the screen about a burglary to the recreation area and responded. As he did, a description was given along with a direction of travel. He began to canvass and saw a suspect matching the description who entered a wooded area when Sergeant Lugo approached. Sergeant Lugo was able to verbally direct the subject out of the woods. He was identified as the burglar by a witness and arrested.
Sergeant Lugo has also created his own 501C3 [Service First] which he uses to enrich the lives of children in need and to enhance the relationship between police and the community they serve. Through the 501c3 he established a relationship with many organizations who donate including Walmart. For example, Chief Jones received a call about a family residing in Lamplighter Mobile Home Park (mom, 3 children and grandmother). The family had become indigent and in need of food, clothing and other provisions. Sergeant Lugo asked to assist with the situation. He coordinated with the food bank to get a months’ worth of food for the family. He then used his 501c3 to provide the family with clothing and other necessities. He also made himself a point of contact for them to reach out to in the future.
At the start of the 2019-2020 school year, Sergeant Lugo’s 501(c)(3) was used to provide about 20 needy kids with new school clothes and nice school supplies.
In December of 2019, Sergeant Lugo’s 501c3 partnered with the Butler Plaza Walmart to make ‘Shop with a Cop 2019’ a reality for about 20 disadvantaged local kids from our schools selected by members of the SRO unit.
Shortly before the Christmas Holiday each child was provided about $150 to shop with at Walmart. The funds were compliments of Walmart, a citizen donation and Sergeant Lugo’s 501c3. Sergeant Lugo partnered kids with police officers throughout the agency and they shopped for gifts but more importantly enjoyed one another’s company and shared a very positive experience."
Lugo was voted Supervisor of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2022 after being nominated by Corporal Casey Walsh.
Walsh stated, “Lt. Lugo's tenure with GPD has been long and spread over various units, but most recently he has been assigned to Bravo Midnight Patrol. Lt. Lugo sets the example for his officers through his actions. Not only does he lead his shift by allowing their strengths to shine and trusting their decisions, but he is routinely in the thick of investigations and plays a significant role in the successful outcomes. While maintaining a hands-off approach when necessary to allow his shift to flourish, he seems to always be there when he is needed most.
Lt. Lugo's style of leadership has increased morale and activity amongst his ranks. All of his officers feel supported and have adopted his attitude of excitement to come to work and serve the neighbors of Gainesville.
Lt. Lugo not only serves his assigned staff on midnights, but he routinely participates in the PI training and holds over on opposite shifts and rotations. He is an asset to GPD and the citizens of Gainesville. The success of the patrol is a direct reflection of Lt. Lugo's leadership. He is a pleasure to work for and work with. He gives officers something to look forward to in a time when it is not easy to be a motivated LEO.”
Lugo was voted Supervisor of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2023 after being nominated by Sergeant Charles Owens.
Charles Owens stated, “I would like to nominate Lieutenant Lugo as supervisor of the quarter. Lieutenant Lugo is the definition of a great leader. He empowers not only his sergeants on shift but also the officers he commands. He allows his sergeants to supervise the shift as they see fit, knowing they are very capable of doing the job and allowing them the freedom to supervise the officers in their sectors without intimidation of micromanaging, not trusting them, or flat out projecting he knows more than them because of his rank.
Lieutenant Lugo truly understands that each person on shift has different skill sets and allows them to utilize those skills in a way that bonds the shift together and allows the shift to work flawlessly to accomplish the department's missions/goals to an extremely high level. The way the shift handles high-intensity/demanding calls to the most mundane routine incidents is like a well-oiled machine. This is no doubt due to the fact Lieutenant Lugo leads from the front and not the rear or behind a desk. Lieutenant Lugo is always involved in the shifts daily routines of fighting crime.
All of us have heard ‘L411, I have eyes on the suspect,’ or ‘L411, I am behind the Signal 10,’ or even ‘L411, I am on scene; I will handle it, cancel the zone unit.’ If this is not the signs of a great leader, someone we should mirror when trying to learn proper leadership, I don't know what is. I have worked for several great lieutenants throughout my years at GPD. Lieutenant Lugo is definitely one of the best. On top of his great leadership traits,
Lieutenant Lugo constantly gives back to the community by his contacts with the local Walmarts. He makes weekly pick-ups of basic items, mainly goods that benefit underprivileged kids, and makes sure they are distributed through the city and mainly the school district. This is something most do not know because he is very humble, and it's rarely talked about or publicized within the department, let alone our community. I am proud to say that Lieutenant Lugo is my shift commander and shift leader. Lieutenant Lugo deserves this acknowledgement, and much much more.”
In August 2024, a Parker Elementary School employee sent an email to the GPD Public Information Office that stated, “I've had the privilege of working with Lt. Lugo as he often covers our school—we don't have an assigned SRO. For the past two years we have received donations through his foundation, Service First…. These children are often from low-income families and/or struggle behaviorally at home and school. The items Lugo has donated have helped motivate students to improve behaviorally. We've used many of his donations for our PBIS events and to stock our school store. Without him, some of these incentives would not be possible.”
Lugo officially retired on January 31, 2025, concluding his nearly three-decade long career.
