Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau has resigned following widespread criticism for her absence during the fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk.

Chief Harteau announced her resignation on the Minneapolis Police Department Facebook page this morning.

“Last Saturday’s tragedy, as well as some other recent incidents, have caused me to engage in deep reflection,” she said.

“I’ve decided I am willing to step aside to let a fresh set of leadership eyes see what more can be done for the MPD to be the very best it can be.”

Chief Harteau spoke with the media yesterday for the first time since Ruszczyk’s death, saying she was away on personal leave during the shooting and immediate aftermath.

“I was backpacking in the mountains and it made it very challenging to return,” she explained.

Assistant Chief Medaria Arradondo was acting on Chief Harteau’s behalf while she was away and she said she had “the utmost confidence” in his abilities.

“There is seldom a good time for a chief to be away,” she said.

Chief Harteau addressed Ruszczyk's family, saying the Australian woman “didn’t have to die” and promised "justice will be served".

“On our squad cars you will find the words ‘To protect with courage and to serve with passion’ this did not happen,” she said.

“I want to assure Justine’s family, our community and those in Australia that I will do everything in my power to make sure due process is followed and justice is served."

Ruszczyk, 40, was fatally shot in the stomach by responding Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor on Saturday.

Transcripts of two 911 calls made by Ruszczyk reveal she was reporting what she suspected to be a sexual assault taking place behind her Minneapolis home.

Mr Noor and his partner Matthew Harrity responded to the calls but Mr Noor shot Ruszczyk, firing across his partner, after he was startled by a loud noise.

Both officers had their body cameras switched off at the time of the shooting.

Chief Harteau said it is her belief “the body cams should’ve been activated”.

She said the Minneapolis Police Department’s body camera policy is in line with best practices but that it will be “making changes to strengthen the existing policy to ensure the cameras are on well in advance to a situation” in the future.

She said the department is exploring the possibility of having the cameras automatically start recording when an officer’s gun is removed from its holster.

“We want to do whatever we can to minimise human error.”

It’s understood the officers may have thought they were being ambushed.

Mr Noor hasn't spoken with state investigators about the shooting and, legally, doesn't have to.

However, the police department's internal affairs unit can compel him to give a statement as part of its own investigation, and fire him if he refuses, said Minneapolis defense lawyer Joe Friedberg, who isn't involved in the case.

That statement cannot be used against him in any criminal investigation.

Chief Harteau said she has only spoken with Mr Noor “in passing” since the shooting, but hopes he will give a statement.

“I would prefer that Officer Noor would speak – whether it be to our internal process or to the BCA. There are questions that need to be answered and he is the only one who has those answers,” she said.

A community march was held in Minneapolis yesterday in honour of Ruszczyk.

Streets were shut down in her neighbourhood as hundreds, including her to-be stepson Zach, demanded justice for her death chanting: “no justice, no peace, prosecute the police” and holding up signs.

At one point, Ruszczyk’s fiancé Don Demond came out of his house to greet some of those marching.