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)

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".

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.

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

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 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 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).

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