Robert Bates: Claim made that training records of volunteer cop who accidentally shot dead black suspect were 'falsified'

Police insist the 73-year-old was qualified to take part in the arrest

Concern over an incident in which a 73-year-old volunteer policeman shot dead a suspect by accident has mounted after it was reported that the officer’s training records had been falsified.

The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma has been under intense scrutiny since volunteer Robert Bates shot dead suspect Eric Harris on April 2, an incident that was captured on graphic video footage.

Mr Bates, a wealthy insurance executive who contributed $2,500 to the sheriff's re-election campaign and who donated vehicles to the force, said he meant to use his Taser but accidentally fired his handgun instead. He has been charged with manslaughter and is currently free on bail.

Now a report has claimed that some of the supervisors at in the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office were told to forge Mr Bates’ training records. It is alleged that three of those who refused to were given less desirable duties, the Tulsa World reported.

Mr Bates’ training had already been in the spotlight since the fatal shooting earlier in the month and the authorities have denied claims that the 73-year-old had been able to “play cop” because of his financial contributions. The family of Mr Harris has also been asking questions as to whether or not he should have been at the scene of the arrest.

The report in the World claimed that Mr Bates received firearms certification he never should have been given. It said the Sheriff’s Office had failed to provide the newspaper with the details of who had signed off on Mr Bates’ training.

Police officials have denied the newspaper’s report. Undersheriff Tim Albin said: “The training record speaks for itself. I have absolutely no knowledge of what you are talking about. There aren’t any secrets in law enforcement. Zero.”

Mr Harris was shot and killed during an undercover operation carried out by the Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Task Force . He had reportedly previously sold methamphetamine to undercover officers and was in the act of selling them a stolen gun.

As police moved in to make the arrest, Mr Harris ran from his vehicle and was chased by officers who pushed him to the ground. Mr Bates shot Mr Harris while he was on the ground and was seemingly heard on the video footage to say “Oh, I shot him! I’m sorry".