STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is poised to create a new squad dedicated to investigating police officer-involved shooting incidents, similar to a unit formed by Commissioner William Bratton when he headed the LAPD, the Advance has learned.

The squad will be similar to the LAPD's "Force Investigation Division," which looks into all incidents that involve the use of deadly force by an officer, multiple sources tell the Advance.

Inspector John Sprague -- who last May left his role as the commanding officer of the North Shore's 120th Precinct to head the borough's Detective Bureau -- has been tapped to lead the new unit, sources tell the Advance.

An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that Sprague would be heading a unit called the "Force Investigation Division," but could not comment on that unit's mission.

Since his appointment, Bratton has been working on an NYPD-wide "re-engineering" of resources.

LOOKING TO L.A.

Shortly after the July 17 chokehold death of Eric Garner, he announced that he'd be sending a team of officers to Los Angeles to study the LAPD's policy on retraining and other procedures, noting that the LAPD has "the most contemporary policy on use-of-force training."

The LAPD first created what it initially called a "Critical Incident Investigation Division" in 2001, in answer to a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department.

Bratton ran the LAPD from 2002 and 2009, and in 2004, he disbanded that unit and created the "Force Investigation Division."

The LAPD's website describes its responsibilities as such:

"Force Investigation Division (FID) is responsible for the investigation of all incidents involving the use of deadly force of an LAPD officer. In addition, all use of force resulting in an injury requiring hospitalization commonly referred to as a Law Enforcement Related Injury (LERI). Investigative responsibility of FID also includes all deaths while the arrestee or detainee is in the custodial care of the LAPD, accidental and animal shootings and other investigations as directed by the Chief of Detectives.

"To accomplish this task, FID is currently organized into three investigative sections. Additionally an Administrative Section incorporating a special projects unit provides the necessary administrative review, oversight and compliance with related projects, inquiries and audits."

The new unit's creation is meant to spark a culture shift within the ranks of the NYPD, since officers often don't trust investigators from the department's Internal Affairs Bureau, sources said. IAB will likely still be called in to investigate officer-involved shootings, but the new unit will answer to the first deputy commissioner's office, sources said.

STATEN ISLAND LEADERSHIP SHUFFLE

Sprague's assignment has sparked a leadership shuffle on Staten Island. Deputy Inspector Joseph Veneziano, who took the reins of the 120th Precinct in May, now heads Detective Bureau Staten Island, sources said.

Deputy Inspector Robert Bocchino, the 122nd Precinct's commanding officer, has taken over the 120th Precinct, the NYPD spokesperson confirmed.

It's not clear who will succeed Bocchino.

Though Veneziano oversaw the 120th Precinct during Garner's death, sources said that he's well-regarded as a commanding officer, and his new assignment is considered an upward move. Veneziano had headed the 122nd Precinct before taking over the 120th.

The 120th Precinct and 122nd Precinct's official Twitter accounts mentioned the leadership change in recent tweets, making no reference to the city-wide unit:

Pleasure to have served the 120 Precinct (cops and community). Welcome to DI Bocchino. — NYPD 120th Precinct (@NYPD120Pct) March 17, 2015