Woman says police tased her while she was handcuffed

A Muskogee woman says police used pepper spray and shocked her with a taser, while she was handcuffed to a hospital bed.

Muskogee Police are reviewing the officers’ use of force report.

Inside the emergency room at the Muskogee Regional Medical Center a woman said both of her hands were handcuffed to the hospital bed. While restrained, she said she was suicidal and screamed for help.

“I was moving my hands back and forth,” said Christina Boylan.

That is when she said officers used pepper spray and a taser.

Christina Boylan remembers what happened Tuesday night in the hospital. She said she was depressed and started drinking and then locked herself in a bedroom with loaded guns. She said she wanted to die.

Her family called police and she was rushed to the hospital. Family members said officers assured them Boylan would be safe.

“That we could trust them and that she is in good hands,” said Boylan’s sister Alissa Wren.

Boylan said when she got to the hospital she was scared and wanted her family there. Family said they were not allowed to see Boylan.

“I was screaming, I was screaming, for someone to help me,” said Boylan.  “They were trying to put the catheter and the cop told me to hush.”

Boylan said that’s when she claims officers used non-lethal force.
“He was standing right beside me, and tased me and then pepper sprayed me,” said Boylan. “I remember screaming, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, someone help me. No one helped me.”

Boylan pointed out burn marks she says were caused by the taser. She believes the officer used it twice.

“I didn’t think I was threatening them at all. I heard someone say she pinched me and people laughing,” said Boylan. “I didn’t try to hurt anybody. I was handcuffed.”

Boylan said she called Muskogee police and made a complaint.

“What we are looking at is if one officer had sprayed, if the other officer was trying to pull back the taser. We don’t know if the officer was trying to get her to comply,” said MPD Sergeant Pedro Zardeneta.

Police said being handcuffed doesn’t strictly violate its use of force policy with a taser.

“Just because you are handcuffed,  you can still do a lot of damage,” said Zardeneta.

Officers said there can be many reasons for tasing or pepper spraying someone.

“Are they handcuffed, do they still have room to assault someone? Are they trying to bite, are they trying to kick?” said Zardeneta. “The officers are not only looking at how to keep themselves safe but the other staff at the hospital and other EMS staff. They also have to keep that person safe as well.”

Muskogee Police are still investigating the accused officers and questioning witnesses and Boylan.

“I don’t think it should happen to anyone else. That was cruel what they did to me wasn’t right. I wanted to get help, I wanted to get help,” said Boylan.

Investigators have taken photographs of Boylan’s arm where she said she tased. During the investigation the officers in question are still on duty.

Earlier this year, a McAlester officer was accused tasing a handcuffed woman while she was being booked into jail and she spit on him. He now faces charges.

Green Country law enforcement agencies who issue taser guns to patrol officers include:

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, Claremore Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department, Jenks Police Department, Sapulpa Police Department, Sand Springs Police Department and Muskogee Police Department. Owasso police were able to budget some tasers for officers, but not all. Tulsa Police Department doesn’t require tasers but has issued a limited number.