The Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Australian woman Justine Damond last July has turned himself in on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The officer shot Ms Damond minutes after she called 9-1-1 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says the officer recklessly fired his handgun from the passenger seat in disregard for human life.