Michael Arkinson, who famously arrested Justin Timberlake for a DWI in the Hamptons last year, has been named “Officer of the Year” in Sag Harbor. As reported by The Sag Harbor Express, the honor was given to him during a ceremony hosted by the Southampton Kiwanis Club on January 31 of this year.
Factors Behind Timberlake’s Arrest
Timberlake’s notable arrest occurred on June 18, 2024, during The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. According to a criminal complaint, the 44-year-old artist ran a red light and was observed recklessly swerving on the road. Officer Arkinson noted that Timberlake had glassy eyes and the smell of alcohol on his breath.
As the complaint reportedly stated, “He was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot… [and] performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests.”
Officer Arkinson and Timberlake’s Alleged Interaction
At the time, Officer Arkinson was a rookie who had just joined the force in March of 2024. At 23 years old, he had only been an officer for three months when he arrested Timberlake. Perhaps fortunately for Officer Arkinson, he had no idea who Timberlake was at the time.
When Timberlake was stopped, the artist allegedly said “This is going to ruin the tour” under his breath.
In response, Officer Arkinson questioned the visibly intoxicated driver: “What tour?”
“The world tour,” Timberlake supposedly replied. The Forget Tomorrow World Tour began on April 29, 2024, and is scheduled to conclude on July 20, 2025, in Paris, France. Apparently, the tour was not completely ruined by his arrest.
According to a statement obtained by the New York Post, Timberlake claimed to have only had “one martini.” A bartender said something to the same effect.
Chief Drake’s Acknowledgement
For his actions, Chief Rob Drake acknowledged Officer Arkinson: “Although Officer Arkinson was newly hired last year, he has made an immediate impact within the department and the community.”
While Officer Arkinson might not have been aware that he was deciding to administer impartial justice, his actions still spoke to his character. For these and other reasons, he was commended by Chief Drake and was named “Officer of the Year.”
The Results of Timberlake’s Arrest
Last year, Timberlake pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, though his attorney Edward Burke disputed reports that the artist was drunk at the time of arrest. He was reportedly fined $500 with a $260 surcharge and ordered to perform community service at a non-profit of his choice. He further agreed to a 90-day suspension of his license.
“I understand that I have a platform,” Timberlake said. “To everyone watching and listening, even if you have only one drink, do not get behind the wheel of a car. There are so many alternatives… This is a mistake that I made but I’m hoping that whoever is watching and listening now can learn from this mistake, I certainly have.”
A Brief, Notable Moment
Timberlake’s arrest had a brief, but notable impact on Officer Arkinson’s community. His recognition as “Officer of the Year” recognizes this, and Timberlake’s own acknowledgment of the mistake reflects a certain appreciation of Officer Arkinson’s decision.
