The Lengthy Island cop who arrested pop famous person Justin Timberlake for driving drunk within the Hamptons was awarded for making an “immediate impact” throughout his first yr on the job.
Sag Harbor Village Police Officer Michael Arkinson, 24, was named the division’s Officer of the Yr throughout a ceremony on Jan 31, in keeping with the Sag Harbor Categorical.
“Although Officer Arkinson was newly hired last year, he has made an immediate impact within the department and the community,” Chief Rob Drake mentioned.
“…He has a positive attitude and shown tremendous initiative, always wanting to participate and learn to improve his knowledge and skills to become a more well-rounded police officer.”
Arkinson, who joined SHPD in March 2024, led the division in summonses and arrests — together with pulling over and busting Timberlake within the ritzy Lengthy Island city final yr.
In June, Arkinson noticed the “Sexy Back” singer blow via a cease check in his 2025 BMW SUV and swerve out of his lane.
Timberlake claimed he had “one martini” when hanging along with his buddies at Sag Harbor’s posh American Resort and was following them residence earlier than he was pulled over.
Akinson famous in a prison grievance that the singer “appeared intoxicated” with “bloodshot and glassy” eyes and was “unable to follow instructions correctly” throughout his subject sobriety take a look at.
He refused to take a Breathalyzer thrice, in keeping with paperwork.
Atkinson “was so young that he didn’t even know” who Timberlake was through the early morning site visitors cease, a supply instructed Web page Six.
The Grammy winner allegedly instructed Atkinson, “This is going to ruin the tour” on the time.
Timberlake was charged with driving whereas intoxicated, which was dropped when he pleaded responsible to driving whereas skill impaired, a lesser cost. He was additionally cited for working a cease signal.
In August, the “Cry Me a River” singer pleaded not responsible to a DWI cost and had his license suspended in New York. He accepted a plea deal over a month later to keep away from rehab therapy.
As a part of his plea deal, Timberlake was ordered to finish 25 hours of neighborhood service, make a public assertion and pay a $500 wonderful with a $260 surcharge.
“This is a mistake that I made but I’m hoping that whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake,” Timberlake mentioned final September.
Arkinson developed a strict repute amongst locals — who described the officer because the “Sag Harbor Nazi” — regardless of having spent lower than a yr with the division.
The Lengthy Island native graduated from Southampton Excessive College and Roger Williams College earlier than he turned a part-time site visitors management officer in 2017.
In keeping with Web page Six, Arkinson jumped into motion to avoid wasting an area, 25, who had been overdosing — simply days earlier than his confrontation with Timberlake.
