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

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 3:44pm

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 3:44pm

In short:

Locals have expressed shock after the death of a man during an arrest at Clare, in South Australia's Mid North.

SA Police say a taser was activated on the 44-year-old man who had been armed with a metal pole, but it was "ineffective".

What's next?

An investigation into the incident is underway.

Clare locals have expressed shock following reports a man died during an arrest on Sunday after an "ineffective" taser activation, as the police minister says he is confident the incident will be thoroughly investigated.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Mayor Allan Aughey said he was "shocked and surprised" at the incident, which police said involved a 44-year-old man who was armed with a metal pole and causing a disturbance at Opie Street, in the Mid North town.

"We are a sociable community, we are a country community with a lot of connectivity and when something like this does happen the ripples go out through our regional townships," he said.

He said he felt very troubled for his community.

"It's not something that happens here in our area," he said,

"It's quiet and peaceful usually and so I was very, very concerned."

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 by the man".

"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 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."