The Long Island cop who arrested pop superstar Justin Timberlake for driving drunk in the Hamptons was awarded for making an “immediate impact” during his first year on the job.
Sag Harbor Village Police Officer Michael Arkinson, 24, was named the department’s Officer of the Year during a ceremony on Jan 31, according to the Sag Harbor Express.
“Although Officer Arkinson was newly hired last year, he has made an immediate impact within the department and the community,” Chief Rob Drake said.
“…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 department in summonses and arrests — including pulling over and busting Timberlake in the ritzy Long Island town last year.
In June, Arkinson spotted the “Sexy Back” singer blow through a stop sign in his 2025 BMW SUV and swerve out of his lane.
Timberlake claimed he had “one martini” when hanging with his friends at Sag Harbor’s posh American Hotel and was following them home before he was pulled over.
Akinson noted in a criminal complaint that the singer “appeared intoxicated” with “bloodshot and glassy” eyes and was “unable to follow instructions correctly” during his field sobriety test.
He refused to take a Breathalyzer three times, according to documents.
Atkinson “was so young that he didn’t even know” who Timberlake was during the early morning traffic stop, a source told Page Six.
The Grammy winner allegedly told Atkinson, “This is going to ruin the tour” at the time.
Timberlake was charged with driving while intoxicated, which was dropped when he pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired, a lesser charge. He was also cited for running a stop sign.
In August, the “Cry Me a River” singer pleaded not guilty to a DWI charge and had his license suspended in New York. He accepted a plea deal over a month later to avoid rehab treatment.
As part of his plea deal, Timberlake was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, make a public statement and pay a $500 fine 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 said last September.
Arkinson developed a strict reputation among locals — who described the officer as the “Sag Harbor Nazi” — despite having spent less than a year with the department.
The Long Island native graduated from Southampton High School and Roger Williams University before he became a part-time traffic control officer in 2017.
According to Page Six, Arkinson jumped into action to save a local, 25, who had been overdosing — just days before his confrontation with Timberlake.
