The family of a 27-year-old man from Lloydminster says RCMP used excessive force arresting him Saturday. Trent Angus is now recovering in the Saskatoon Correctional Centre after sustaining injuries during the arrest in Lloydminster.

"I know he took off running but there's still no reason for those severe injuries," said Lori-Anne Angus, Trent's sister.

The officer who arrested him is now being investigated to determine if the force used was acceptable.

Wanted on charges

Angus was considered a priority offender in the community and was wanted on charges of possession of firearms, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with conditions.

After Lloydminster RCMP located Angus and another man inside a stolen vehicle Saturday night, the chase was on to arrest Angus.

When officers tried to stop the truck Angus was in, the police cruiser was hit. According to RCMP Angus then attempted to drive through a fence and then fled on foot. Two officers, with the help of a police dog, were finally able to track down Angus attempting to break in to a residence.

"In this case and any case, officers are always determining the risk to the public, themselves and the people that they're dealing with," said Suki Manj, the detachment commander in Lloydminster.

During the arrest, police said Angus sustained non-life threatening injuries and was first transported to hospital in Lloydminster and was then taken to St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon.

The officer who made the arrest is now being investigated by another RCMP officer from a different detachment about the force used during the arrest. That investigation will then be reviewed by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team to determine if the investigation was done thoroughly and properly.

"The Criminal Code of Canada allows officers and provides them authority to use as much force as necessary to affect their police work," said Manj. "But we have tremendous oversight on that power."

Family concerned

Angus' family is frustrated, concerned, and scared about how he was treated by RCMP.

"They acted like he killed somebody," said Lori-Anne. "I was crying my eyes out. I was so scared. I don't know if it's safe to be in Lloydminster anymore."

Lori-Anne says she saw most of the chase. She says she was at a friend's house the night of the arrest when she noticed a commotion outside. She says she saw a number of police cruisers surrounding a truck but didn't realize it was her brother.

"I was probably about a block a way and cops didn't let me go any further," said Lori-Anne. "I know he took off running but there's still no reason for those severe injuries."

Lori-Anne says she didn't see the actual takedown of her brother by RCMP, but does say she knows a Taser was used. The family then went to the Lloydminster hospital to check up on him, but Angus transported him to Saskatoon shortly after.

The family then followed RCMP and the ambulance to St. Paul's Hospital.

"When we got to the Saskatoon hospital here they wouldn't let us see him," said Lori-Anne. "We have no information. We don't have anymore information about how he's doing."

The family has now talked to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations about this. Lori-Anne says officials there are going to conduct their own investigation. When CBC reached out to the FSIN, they said they had no comment about this case.

Lori-Anne also says the family has reached out to an Edmonton lawyer. He's expected to meet with Angus this week.

"Something went terribly wrong in Lloydminster. Somebody is going to get killed."

Manj says he doesn't have a problem with the family having concerns. He says the officer being investigated is continuing his full duties with the RCMP in Lloydminster.

"We all make mistakes, if there is a mistake made we will be held accountable."