The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department (LASD) , not the LAPD were involved in Baton training for the Genoa Police in the run up to the G8 demonstrations.

The LASD today confirmed the training took place. International training is a new venture for the LASD. The training was originally uncovered by Liberazione, the newspaper of the Italian "Communist Refoundation" party

The LASD does not have a reputation for the indiscriminate use of physical force on the scale of the LAPD. However, they have been subject to criticism. In 1992 the LASD was criticised by Amnesty international following complaints about shootings and the use of dogs, particularly agains the black and latino population. Los Angeles Coutny launched and investigative commission, the "Kolts Commission" which highlighted abuse by the Sheriffs department. Complaints about the LASD continue, although they are overshadowed by worries about the LAPD

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