Fernandina Beach Police Department
Press Release
James T. Hurley / Chief of Police
January 30, 2019 9:00 a.m.
The Fernandina Beach Police Department held its annual awards banquet at the city golf course last Friday night, where Detective Michelle Arseneau was named the 2018 Police Officer of the Year. Detective Arseneau joined the Fernandina Beach Police Department six years ago and has been assigned to the Investigations Bureau for the past two years.
Detective Arseneau was often commended during the year, to include her work on a federal task force investigating a regional gang that was breaking into vehicles at area fitness centers. The task force reviewed potential links between suspects and car burglaries and eventually charged several individuals under the federal RICO Act or Racketeer-Influenced Corrupt Organization. The group broke into vehicles in order to steal real property and credit cards, which were then used to make numerous illegal purchases. Detective Arseneau was able to identify two members of the group and tie them to the string of vehicle burglaries, including two at our own YMCA. A total of 30 cases were eventually attributed to this criminal gang when arrest warrants were finally written and the gang taken into custody.
In addition, Detective Arseneau routinely assists with other investigations and is considered the consummate “team player.” Her supervisor described her as a hard worker who hit the ground running as a detective and keeps a steady pace, while typically staying under the radar. Meanwhile, her peers describe her as someone that never backs away from work and is always willing to help in any way she can.
For example, during 2018 Detective Arseneau participated in numerous ancillary duties, to include serving on the board of NACDAC, while also conducting alcohol and tobacco compliance buys at all area stores and bars. She is the Co-chair of the Law Enforcement Law Special Olympics Torch Run and a member of the Fernandina Beach Police Department Honor Guard. She participates every year with our Shop with Cops program, is a member of the Beyond the Badges Scholarship Committee, and teaches bicycle safety to children every year at the Southside Elementary School Bike Rodeo.
Detective Arseneau is our in-house mentor for college interns, and she participates in our annual Guns N’ Hoses Softball Tournament to raise money for MS.
She was deployed for more than a week to Bay County during Hurricane Michael to assist with relief efforts.