TULSA -- A Tulsa man claims police used excessive force during his arrest last month.
Justin Trammel remains at the Tulsa County Jail on more than $200,000 bond. His family and friends say he is no angel, but the way he was treated was uncalled for.
The pursuit began after police showed up at Trammel's home to serve a felony warrant for illegal possession of a firearm.
Dash cam video shows multiple officers joining in the chase. When the chase ended, the situation escalated.
"Get him." Police are heard yelling in the video.
"They have to pursue him at this point, correct? They have to. Like I said, he's got a felony warrant," says Public Information Officer Demita Kinard.
Police say Trammel failed to comply with multiple officer commands to walk backward toward them. When he stopped backing up, the K-9 officer stepped in.
"This isn't just they are after somebody for a speeding ticket. They would not sick a dog on somebody for a speeding ticket," says Ofc. Kinard. "Dogs can only be used in a case of felonies."
2 Works For You visited Trammel in jail to hear his complaints. No cameras or recording devices were allowed inside.
Trammel says he found it hard to keep walking backward as police commanded and the sound of the police dog frightened him.
Police say they are looking into whether the suspect was tased, while Trammel's friend complains the incident should have never happened.
"I mean 21 officers, you know. I counted eight punches in the face in the back of the truck. They drug him out and beat on him some more," says Trammel's friend Damon Russel.
Trammel says he ended up with more than 15 stitches to his leg, a bruised eye and burns to his side from the taser.
" The dog will continue to hold onto the perpetrator as long as they are fighting. His job is to stop the action. So as long as that action is continuing, that dog knows you are not doing what you're supposed to do to stop me from doing what I have to do," explains Ofc. Kinard.
Police say they considered Trammel dangerous because of multiple past convictions. When he ran, he put others in danger.
Trammel has an attorney and will appear in court on Monday.
Tulsa police say all uses of force, including this arrest, are reviewed. They recommend, if a suspect has a complaint about abuse, they should report it to internal affairs. Trammel says he hasn't been able to do that yet because he's recovering.
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