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Black Lives Matter sign. (KIRO 7)

Though Seattle police cant comment yet on the range of issues left in the wake of the fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles, Pierce Countys sheriff may offer some context. Starting with this: Black lives matter.

Black lives do matter, said Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor. Black lives matter in a very important way.

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Charleena Lyles was an African-American mother killed by two white police officers after she reportedly threatened them with a knife. Lyles was recently suffering from mental illness, which adds another layer to the tragedy.

Sheriff Pastor made it clear while talking with KIRO Radios Ron and Don that black lives matter and explained why Blue Lives Matter is not a response to the sentiment.

Blue lives matter to me, definitely, he said. I dont say that as a reply because it begs the issue. I think when people say Black Lives Matter what they are asking is Dont black lives matter? Individually? Dont black people in America matter?

They do, Pastor said. You know why, African-American people in America are a bellwether in how we are doing. We can chart how well America is doing by looking at the state of black America. Right now, we have to work harder on that. While black lives definitely matter, I dont think they matter enough in the white community or the black community.

Pastor said that people have a misconception that every incident with police could have a positive outcome. People assume that some tragedies could be avoided if there was a mental health official present.

It is a nice tool to have if it is available, he said. We under-invest in mental health and just say, Just let the cops handle it. Let the cops respond. We dont want to finance treatment, hospitalization. The cops will handle it. That stinks. Its wrong. Its not fair. Thats what enhances the likelihood of damage in these encounters.

We lay this on the porch of law enforcement, Pastor said. We dont invest in doing something about it, and we wonder why we have these encounters.

Lyles was taken into custody nearly two weeks before the June 18 shooting. She was recommended to mental health court. Officers were aware of her previous interactions with police and the mental health concern.

Many people asked on Ron and Dons Facebook page: Why didnt police shoot her in the leg? Or use a Taser? Or use other, non-lethal force?

Generally, we are trained to aim for areas that will stop the action, however, people who even consider doing that have not been successful, Pastor said. Why? In the real world, when you are faced with something, its not like at the shooting range, its not like on television. Theres surprise, theres chaos, theres fear. People in combat will tell you that its not the same cool, calm, collective approaches.

Pastor said he is in favor of using stun devices, like a Taser, but said that not all officers carry them. Pastor also notes that the devices are also controversial.

Ive heard a number of agencies around the country withdrawing from using Tasers, he said. Some of that has been pressure by interest groups who think its cruel and unusual, or who think that it causes terrible damage.

Pastor said he has been hit with a stun gun from behind when he wasnt expecting it.

It hurt, it takes you down, and you can get up and carry on with your afternoon, he said.

Original post:
Pierce County Sheriff discusses why black lives matter - MyNorthwest.com