Local mayor 'shocked' at man's death after 'ineffective' taser arrest

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Mayor Allan Aughey was shocked and surprised at the incident. (ABC News: Daniel Taylor) Police officers at the scene of the incident in Clare. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall) A neighbour to the incident, which police said occurred at Opie Street just before 12:30pm on Sunday, said it was a "pretty quiet" area. On Sunday, Assistant Commissioner David O'Donovan said that when police arrived a man was damaging property with a metal pole before "two officers were subsequently threatened ". "Police attempted to disarm the man and subsequently deployed an ECD (a taser)," he said. "The taser was activated but it was ineffective, police were then involved in arresting the male, and it was during the arrest procedure that the man became unresponsive." He said officers administered first aid on the man, from Ward Belt, East of Gawler, before ambulance officers arrived. Major Crime and Ethical and Professional Standards detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including viewing body worn camera vision.  The incident occurred at Opie Street on Sunday. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall) The incident is the subject of a Police Commissioner's Inquiry, and a report will be prepared for the coroner. Police Minister Michael Brown said the investigation would have oversight from the Office of Public Integrity and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). "I have confidence that it will be done in a thorough, professional manner and that we'll get answers to the questions that are outstanding," he said. Opposition police spokesman Jack Batty said any death in custody was "an absolute tragedy". "I think we need to have a full and thorough investigation and understand the circumstances around it and work out whether we can do anything to improve the way we operate in the future," he said. "I think South Australians deserve a bit of transparency in these matters."