The adoptive mother of a young woman shot dead by a police officer in Western Australia says she still does not understand why her daughter died.

Key points: Joyce Clarke's death in September triggered widespread protests focussed on the relationship between police and Indigenous people

Joyce Clarke's death in September triggered widespread protests focussed on the relationship between police and Indigenous people A heavy police presence at Ms Clarke's Carnarvon funeral has been criticised by the community, but police say they're there "for support"

A heavy police presence at Ms Clarke's Carnarvon funeral has been criticised by the community, but police say they're there "for support" The officer involved in the shooting has been stood down from active duty, but Ms Clarke's family says they still don't understand why she died

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Carnarvon on Friday to farewell Joyce Clarke, whose death in Geraldton, in September, sparked racially-charged protests around Australia.

Speaking at the wake, Leslie 'Anne' Jones said she still has not been given any answers about what happened since police knocked on her door to tell her daughter had died.

"I've only got the coroner's report from Geraldton to say the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the abdomen," Ms Jones said.

"Nobody told me nothing.

"I'm still trying to get answers but I can't."

Joyce Clarke's adoptive mother, Leslie 'Anne' Jones, said the system had failed her family. ( ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim )

She said her people want justice.

"Look at that young fellow over there that got shot in Yuendumu," she said.

"[The officer] got charged alright, but he's pleading not guilty to it and they even said what they did to him.

"I don't think there will be any justice or any changes, because there is not going to be any change — this has been going for years."

Protesters gathered outside Geraldton Police Station after Joyce Clarke was shot dead by police. ( ABC News: Laura Meachim )

In a statement to the ABC, a spokeswoman for WA Police said the investigation into Ms Clarke's death was still ongoing.

She said police continued to work with Ms Clarke's family and the broader Aboriginal community, and would do so throughout the investigation.

The officer involved has been stood aside from operational duties.

Many mourners wore shirts emblazoned with the slogan 'Justice for Joyce', which was chanted at protests sparked by Ms Clarke's death. ( ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim )

Concerns over extra police presence

The local Aboriginal community has criticised police for increasing their presence in Carnarvon.

It is understood 40 extra police officers were sent to the small town, including the mounted police section, for Ms Clarke's funeral.

Les Cook, of Carnarvon Aboriginal Medical Service, says the heavy police at Ms Clarke's funeral amounts to "provocation". ( ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim )

CEO of the Carnarvon Aboriginal Medical Service and spokesman for the family Les Cook said it was overkill.

"We've never seen this many police in this town," he said.

"How the girl died, they've [police] got to learn to stand back, the police, because … it's just provocation.

"If the police are going to drive past the church or the cemetery it is just going to bring provocation and people are really hot at the moment."

Regional WA Assistant Commissioner Jo McCabe, pictured here in 2018, says police understand the community is hurting. ( ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt: James Carmody )

Regional WA Assistant Commissioner Jo McCabe said the increased presence was designed to "support the community … at a really sensitive time," and that officers from the Aboriginal Affairs division were present.

"We also have to understand that this is the fourth funeral in recent weeks so that type of event takes its toll on the community, they're hurting," Assistant Commissioner McCabe said.

"We don't talk about operational numbers but it's not unusual for regional Western Australia to support the community by bringing in extra staff during these types of events.

"As you can well imagine, any loss of people in such a small community, there's outpouring of grief, there really is.

"It hurts communities, so [because of] that ongoing trauma we're here, we're bringing the extra officers to support the community."

Mourners comfort one another at Joyce Clarke's funeral. ( ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim )

Town in shock

Mr Cook said the whole community is mourning Ms Clarke, who was born in Carnarvon and spent parts of her life living there.

"The whole town, it was just like silence, there was just shock," he said.

"Just total shock, absolute shock because we know the nature of that girl and it just not her, it just wasn't her."

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He said the alleged murder of Kumanjayi Walker in the Northern Territory highlights the need for changes to be made to prevent further deaths.

"It's not just last week, it's been an occurring reoccurrence for the last couple of years," Mr Cook said.

"It's just too many young cops with the armoury on the hips — what do you do?

"The first thing they reach for is the most powerful weapon when they've got this other stuff.

"We've had for the last 30-odd years deaths in custody recommendations and probably half of them haven't been implemented."

Ms Clarke leaves behind a son, who is now being cared for by Ms Jones.