Robert Bates releases police-training documents showing volunteer police officer had Taser and gun training

Documents show that the reserve officer was certified to carry and use a handgun

(AP Images)

Robert Bates, the reserve sheriff’s deputy who accidentally shot and killed a man after apparently mistaking his gun for his Taser, had taken a Taser training class and was certified to carry and use a handgun, according to documents released by his lawyer.

Those training records show that in the last six years Mr Bates completed one Taser training class, took three firearms training classes and was certified 10 times to use a handgun, CNN reported.

“Robert Bates has met all the requisite training required by Oklahoma to be a reserve deputy,” said the lawyer, Scott Wood, in an interview with CNN.

Mr Bates’ training records have come under scrutiny, after the Tulsa World reported that the sheriff’s department had ordered employees to falsify those records following the incident in which the reserve deputy killed Eric Harris.

Tulsa police set up Mr Harris in an undercover operation in which he allegedly was going to sell officers a gun illegally. When officers approached Mr Harris to arrest him, he fled. After a brief chase on foot, officers took him to the ground. That’s when Mr Bates shot him, though he claims he only mean to use his Taser.

Mr Bates has been charged with manslaughter. He was booked and released on bail last week.

Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz held a press conference Monday and reiterated that he is not aware of any efforts to falsify Mr Bates’ records. The sheriff also apologised to the Harris family to the death of Mr Harris.

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