Cop Charged with Lewd Acts Quits

Brian Sawicki, the Santa Barbara Police Department officer who allegedly masturbated in front of two teenage girls at Refugio State Beach last month, resigned from his position on the force this afternoon, September 10. The move was voluntary, according to a press release issued by the department, but Sawicki had been placed on administrative leave and is said to have left town soon after posting bail for the incident. No further statements were issued by the police.

Sawicki was arrested on August 10 after two girls reported being following by him and then later turned around to see him masturbating. When they went to tell the state park rangers, they saw Sawicki again, and he took off running. Eventually caught by a ranger, the Sheriff’s Department was called in and later arrested the 33-year-old, seven-year veteran of the police department. He was charged with three misdemeanors: annoying a child under the age of 18, indecent exposure, and resisting a police officer.

At the time of Sawicki’s arrest, Police Chief Cam Sanchez said in a statement: “I am shocked and deeply disappointed that a member of my department is the subject of this investigation, but I want to assure the public that the department is taking all necessary steps to ensure the public is protected and the investigation is completed in a fair and impartial manner.”