A coronial inquest into the fatal shooting of Shargin Stephens, is being described as shambolic

The 35-year-old was shot by a Rotorua probationary officer in 2016, after damaging a police car armed with a slasher and a wrench.

Police Association President Chris Cahill disagrees with the coroner that his death was preventable, saying action was needed.

He says criticism of the officers' accounts isn't fair, given the process took nine years.

Cahill says the report completely lacks understanding of how the human mind and memory works, adding there will be differing versions of events in situations like this.