The death of Justine Damond violated department training and procedures and "should not have happened", the Minneapolis Police Chief has said, distancing herself from a junior officer's actions in shooting the unarmed Australian woman.

Key points: Chief Harteau says officer Mohamed Noor's actions went "against the expectations" of the department

Chief Harteau says officer Mohamed Noor's actions went "against the expectations" of the department She said she would do everything in her power to ensure due process is followed

She said she would do everything in her power to ensure due process is followed Ms Damond's family says they want to bring her home to farewell her in her hometown

Forty-year-old Ms Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, was shot in the abdomen by officer Mohamed Noor in an alleyway after police responded to her 911 call late on Saturday night.

She had heard a possible assault taking place behind her home in Minneapolis, and was reportedly in her pyjamas when she was shot multiple times.

Police Chief Janee Harteau said she had apologised to Ms Damond's fiance Don Damond for the loss of life, adding Mr Noor's decision reflected "the actions and judgement of one individual".

"Justine didn't have to die … I believe the actions in question go against who we are as a department, how we train and the expectations we have for our officers," Chief Harteau said.

"On our squad cars you will find the words, 'To protect with courage and serve with compassion'. This did not happen.

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

Ms Damond was due to get married next month, after moving to the US in 2015. ( Linkedin: Justine Ruszczyk )

Mr Noor and his partner's body cameras were not turned on and their police car dashboard camera did not capture the incident.

Chief Harteau said the body cameras should have been activated, and added the department was examining its policy on cameras, including technological advances that turn them on automatically.

"We had the cameras for about eight months, so it's not second nature for officers to put those cameras on yet," she said.

"Which is why we want to do everything we can in training and in policy to ensure that they're put on before an officer arrives at the scene, because one can never predict when something is going to happen."

Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said its agents had interviewed the other officer who attended the 911 call — Matthew Harrity — but said Mr Noor declined to be interviewed.

Once the investigation is complete, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman will decide whether to charge Mr Noor over the shooting.

Chief Harteau has faced criticism over the fact she was on holiday during the incident, and the press conference was her first since the shooting last week.

People in Minneapolis have set up a memorial for Ms Damond, leaving flowers and messages. ( AP: Aaron Lavinsky )

Hundreds march in call for justice

The shooting has heightened tensions in the community, reopening a deep rift between locals and the authorities just over one year after Minneapolis man Philando Castile was shot and killed by police officer Jeronimo Yanez.

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Hundreds of people turned out to march in protest of the shooting after Chief Harteau's press conference, calling for justice and chanting "no justice, no peace, prosecute the police", and "if Justine don't get it, shut it down".

Castile's family joined the protesters, with his mother Valerie saying she "just had to come out today".

The group demanded Mr Noor be prosecuted and fired if he continued to refuse to talk to investigators, and called for the release of the dashcam footage from the 911 call.

Chief Harteau earlier admitted she understood the fear people in the community may have calling the police in the wake of the shootings.

"Although disheartening, I understand the fear, and why it exists," she said.

"This has had a negative impact on the community trust we have built.

"Moving forward we will continue to work towards regaining the trust with everything we do."

Ms Damond, a spiritual healer and life coach who was due to marry Minneapolis local Mr Damond next month, moved to the United States in 2015.

The Washington Post reported Ms Damond was one of at least 524 people fatally shot by police in the US this year and the fifth in Minnesota.

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ABC/Reuters