By Kim Minugh
kminugh@sacbee.com

A Sacramento police officer was arrested this week after he allegedly brandished a gun during an off-duty argument in January, police said today.

Brandon Mullock, 24, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of brandishing, and then released, said Sacramento police Sgt. Norm Leong. He was not booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail because he did not meet the criteria for misdemeanor booking, Leong said.

Mullock, a patrol officer who has been with the Sacramento Police Department two years, allegedly brandished a holstered handgun during an argument just after midnight Jan. 27, Leong said.

While in the area of 9th and J streets in downtown, Mullock felt he was being followed by someone and confronted him, Leong said.

The man took off running, and as Mullock turned away, he allegedly uttered a racial slur, Leong said. That alleged slur was heard by another person, who questioned Mullock, Leong said.

Mullock allegedly then displayed a holstered gun on his hip, Leong said. It was not Mullock's department-issued handgun, Leong said.

The alleged victim of the brandishing then called police. When officers arrived, Mullock was no longer on scene, Leong said. A warrant was later issued for his arrest.

Although Mullock never took the gun out of the holster, his alleged action was illegal because it likely was done with the intent to threaten or intimidate, which meets the legal definition of brandishing, Leong said.

Mullock had been drinking that night, but Leong said he did not know his level of intoxication. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, which runs concurrent with the criminal investigation.

In a prepared statement, police Chief Rick Braziel said his department takes the allegations "very seriously."

"We understand that an off-duty incident of this nature reflects negatively of the good men and women in law enforcement," he said. "This event is not reflective of the dedicated officers that serve our community every day."

In 2009, Mullock was one of 14 officers honored with the department's "Life-Saving Award." He was recognized for helping a young man who had been badly injured when a car hit his bicycle.

Mullock is scheduled to be arraigned April 7, according to Sacramento Superior Court records.

Call The Bee's Kim Minugh, (916) 321-1038.