The Los Angeles Police Department has sent officers to Newtown, Conn., in the wake of Friday's tragedy.

Assistant Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Police Commission this week that the department, alongside L.A. Unified School District police, has sent a small contingent of officers to the violence-wracked town.

The aim, he said, was both to learn what they can from the mass shooting and to …

… “assist” local authorities “in any way necessary,” according to a department summary of his remarks.

The news came in the wake of weekend comments by LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, who said cops would be visiting L.A. public elementary schools and middle schools once a day in the wake of Newtown.

Friday's shocking violence in Connecticut claimed the lives of 20 elementary school kids and eight adults, including the alleged shooter and his mother.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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