Police in Saskatchewan have scaled back the search for a man wanted in the shootings of two RCMP officers.

A massive police search for Curtis Alfred Dagenais, 41, has been underway around the communities of Mildred and Spiritwood in central Saskatchewan since RCMP constables Robin Cameron and Marc Bourdages were shot and seriously wounded near Mildred on July 7.

Herb Jaster, the uncle of Curtis Dagenais, says he's not shocked by accusations against his nephew.
(Courtesy of John Hughes)

Road blocks were being dismantled Thursday, but police say they will maintain a larger than normal presence in Spiritwood.

A spokesperson for the RCMP would not say exactly how many officers were being moved out of the area.

Dagenais, who is considered armed and dangerous, has been charged with attempted murder for shots fired at a third RCMP officer at the scene, who returned fire.

His uncle says his nephew and the suspect's father "hate the world" and he is not surprised that they are facing charges. 

Herb Jaster, the suspect's uncle, told CBC News he was not shocked by the accusations against his nephew — or his father, Arthur Dagenais, who has been charged with obstruction of justice in the police search to find his son and remains in jail.

"They just hate the world," Jaster told CBC Radio in an interview aired Thursday. "They're just bullies and everything has to go their way."

Shootings came after assault report

The Mounties were called in after reports that Curtis Dagenais was allegedly assaulting his sister at his mother's home in Spiritwood, a town about 10 kilometres west of Mildred and 120 kilometres west of Prince Albert.

'If there's a deal, they got to get the upper hand on it. They're just bullies.'-Herb Jaster, the uncle of the suspect in the shooting

Curtis Dagenais's mother, Elsie Dagenais, has alleged that the family dispute stemmed from a three-year divorce battle between her and Arthur Dagenais after decades of domestic abuse, including a property settlement.

Jaster — who is the brother of Elsie Dagenais — acknowledged that he has always clashed with the Dagenais father and son but told the CBC that they were trouble waiting to happen.

"There's also greed involved. If there's a deal, they got to get the upper hand on it. They're just bullies."

Jaster told the Canadian Press that on Friday night, Curtis Dagenais found out that his mother was to be awarded half of the family farm in a divorce property settlement. He went to her house to confront his mother and sister, since he was expecting to get the farm for himself, Jaster said. 

The argument escalated, police were called and Dagenais left in his truck.

Known troublemaker, uncle alleges

Jaster also alleged that Curtis and Arthur Dagenais had long made trouble for people in Spiritwood, a town with a population of about 1,000.

The comment echoed earlier ones by the suspect's mother and sister, Crown prosecutors and people who live in the area, including the local legislator.

Elsie Dagenais and her daughter Grace said in a statement Monday that both Dagenais and his father were "well known to the law enforcement community."

Crown prosecutors at Arthur Dagenais's court appearance, on Wednesday, alleged he had a 20-year history of animosity toward police officers.

Residents of Spiritwood have said that Curtis Dagenais and his father were known to have violent tempers.

And the provincial legislator for the region said Curtis Dagenais had complained to him repeatedly in the past about the police and showed an unpredictable temper.

'I wouldn't grieve if he got shot'

Jaster said he hopes the RCMP find their man — and safely.

"In a sense, I hope that if it comes to shooting, that he gets it and the police don't. I wouldn't grieve if he got shot."

The RCMP constables, Cameron and Bourdages, remained in serious condition in hospital on Thursday.

Police, often wearing full camouflage gear, used the help of a helicopter to comb heavy bush, farms and pastures.

A provincial court judge in Saskatoon will decide on Friday whether Arthur Dagenais will be granted bail.