The police officer that busted Justin Timberlake with a DWI last June has been given a major accolade in his police department.
According to TMZ, rookie cop Michael Arkinson received the award for Officer of the Year from Sag Harbor Police Department Chief Rob Drake during a ceremony this week. Arkinson was recognized for having "an immediate impact within the department and the community."
Among the significant moments Drake mentioned was Arkinson taking Timberlake into custody last June after the singer left a restaurant in the Hamptons area.
At the time, the 10-time Grammy winner, who reportedly ran a stop sign and refused a breathalyzer test, was on the first leg of his Forget Tomorrow Tour, although Arkinson didn't appear to be familiar with him during the stop.
One source told Page Six, "Justin said under his breath, 'This is going to ruin the tour.' The cop replied, 'What tour?' Justin said, 'The world tour.'"
Although Timberlake denied being intoxicated during the arrest, the 44-year-old was charged with a misdemeanor and agreed to pay a maximum $500 fine in addition to his license being suspended. The pop singer would later give a PSA on the dangers of impaired driving at a nonprofit as part of his 25 hours of community service.
“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” Timberlake said in the video below. "There’s so many alternatives. Call a friend, take an Uber—there’s many travel apps. Still, take a taxi."
"This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever’s watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake," he continued. "I know that I certainly have. And like I said, even one drink. Don’t get behind the wheel of a car."