The Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Australian woman graduated from the city's accelerated police cadet program.

Officer Mohamed Noor graduated in 2015 after the seven month training program, which is a quicker, nontraditional route to policing aimed at helping those who already have a college degree enter law enforcement, The Star Tribune reported.

Mr Noor shot dead bride-to-be Justine Damond on July 15 as she stood outside her Minneapolis home in pajamas.

Officer Mohamed Noor graduated in 2015 after the seven month training program, which is a quicker, nontraditional route to policing aimed at helping those who already have a college degree enter law enforcement

Mr Noor shot dead bride-to-be Justine Damond (pictured) on July 15 as she stood outside her Minneapolis home in pajamas

Ms Damond's dad John Ruszczyk (pictured) is seen at a vigil held for his daughter on Sydney's northern beaches on Wednesday

The 31-year-old police officer was fast tracked into his role through the city's accelerated cadet program.

The seven-month training program is designed for applicants already with a college degree, with recipients receiving tuition for Hennepin Technical College to complete their studies.

Cadets are also given a US$20 per hour salary plus benefits during the course.

Former Minneapolis Police boss Janeé Harteau defended the program and Mr Noor's training.

'We have a very robust training and hiring process. This officer completed that training very well, just like every officer. He was very suited to be on the street,' she said.

'Justine didn't have to die. This should not have happened.'

Ms Harteau resigned from her position on Friday.

The 31-year-old police officer was fast tracked into his role through the city's accelerated cadet program

A vigil was held for Justin Damond at Freshwater Beach in Sydney on Wednesday

James Densley, a university professor in criminal justice, told the Star Tribune he believes the training scheme is satisfactory but flawed.

'The cadet program is rigorous, no doubt, but it is also an immersive paramilitary experience, taught by practitioner faculty without advanced degrees, and I suspect it leaves students with a limited view of the profession,' Mr Densley said.

Ms Damond was killed after calling 911 to report a possible sexual assault near her home in south Minneapolis.

Former Police Chief Harteau, who resigned Friday, said Noor's race and ethnicity had nothing to do with the July 15 killing of the 40-year-old Damond, who was shot after she called 911 to report a possible rape.