Rookie Sag Harbor cop who arrested Justin Timberlake already well known by locals for strict enforcement of traffic laws after just three months on the force
The rookie Sag Harbor cop who pulled over pop superstar Justin Timberlake for alleged drunk driving is well known in the ritzy town, according to a report.
Officer Michael Arkinson, who turns 24 this month, stopped the “SexyBack” singer Tuesday morning after allegedly seeing him blow a stop sign and swerve in the right lane.
In just three months on the force, Arkinson has earned a reputation among Sag Harbor’s wealthy residents, earning nicknames like “the Sag Harbor Nazi” and “little redheaded dips–t” for his strict enforcement of traffic laws.
Despite Timberlake’s global fame, Arkinson, who wasn’t even born when Timberlake joined NSync in 1995, had no clue with whom he was dealing.
By the time Timberlake’s hit “Bye Bye Bye” topped the charts in 2000, Arkinson was just a toddler.
A writer from Shelter Island who identified himself as Spencer recounted an unpleasant encounter with Arkinson while searching for a parking spot in Sag Harbor and making a U-turn.
“I was surprised he pulled me over,” Spencer told the Daily Mail.
“It was off-season, and no one was around. It was a d–khead move. I felt like he pulled me over just for the sake of doing it.”
Although Spencer received a warning, Arkinson wasn’t so lenient on their next run-in.
Pulled over for talking on his cellphone, Spencer protested that he was using speakerphone.
“He told me I should have been using Bluetooth,” Spencer told the outlet.
Despite his explanations, Arkinson slapped him with a $145 ticket.
“I thought he would give me a break … It really interrupted my workout and lunch plans.
“‘I think Justin Timberlake was a victim of over-aggressive Sag Harbor police,” he added.
Meanwhile, a longtime Sag Harbor resident recalled Arkinson’s early days as a traffic control officer, or “brownie,” before he joined the police force.
“Everyone knew where the cops would park on Main Street,” the resident told the outlet, adding that Arkinson’s ignorance of Timberlake’s fame was understandable: “If that is not your taste in music, how would you know?”
Standing 6 feet 4, Arkinson played lacrosse at Southampton High School and Roger Williams University.
He started as a part-time traffic control officer in 2017, earning less than $15 an hour, before becoming a full-time Sag Harbor officer in March 2024.
Sag Harbor PD officers make about $70,000 annually.
The Post has reached out to Arkinson for comment.
On the night of Timberlake’s arrest, Arkinson noted in his report that Timberlake performed “poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests,” reeked of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet, and had slow speech.
Timberlake claimed he “only had one martini” and was following his friends home.
He refused a Breathalyzer test three times, leading to his arrest and transport to Sag Harbor Police Department headquarters.
Timberlake pleaded not guilty in Sag Harbor Village Court on Tuesday and was bailed out by his lawyer, Eddie Burke. By Wednesday, Timberlake had left the Hamptons to prepare for his Chicago concert on Friday night.
His case will return to court on July 26, but the star doesn’t need to be present.
