Man tasered by NSW police dies in custody

A two-shot Taser X2. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A New South Wales man who died in custody after being tasered by police officers had just started turning his life around, his younger brother says.

Police said officers used capsicum spray and then a Taser to subdue 38-year-old Kevin Norris at a fast food restaurant in Mittagong, in the Southern Highlands, about 9pm on Sunday.

The roof tiler was then taken to Bowral Police Station where he later slumped to the ground and died.

"He had problems his whole life, mixing with the wrong crowd," an emotional David Norris, 32, told AAP.

"But a couple of years ago he started getting his life back on track and doing well for himself.

"He was working every day, got a licence, got his first car."

He said his big brother had just moved to Mittagong from Gunning, about 130km away, to be with his girlfriend.

Police were called to the McDonald's last night after reports of a man being troublesome and disruptive.

Up to five police officers went to the fast food restaurant, with two sustaining minor injuries from a physical altercation.

"When police first arrived they spoke to the individual. There was some physical confrontation in terms of the arrest," Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys said.

"Police also used capsicum spray and eventually had to Taser the man to get control of him."

Mr Norris, who was not known previously to police, was conscious when taken in to custody.

"He was taken back to the Bowral police station where unfortunately a short time later he died at the police station," Mr Worboys said.

"He was being subject to the custody process and then he slumped to the floor."

Police and ambulance officers tried to resuscitate him after he collapsed but were unsuccessful.

A critical incident investigation has been launched in to the man's death.

Police reportedly received two calls for assistance on Sunday night - one of them that a man was being troublesome and disruptive at the fast food restaurant, the other involved a man and a domestic issue.

Mr Worboys said the critical investigation team will be examining the calls to establish the sequence of events.

Mr Worboys said CCTV would form an important part of the investigation as there weren't many witnesses.

"There's no doubt there will be footage from the fast food restaurant, indeed the police station," he said.

The man was cuffed at the restaurant, Mr Worboys said.

An autopsy is expected to be carried out in the next couple of days.

"It is a tragic set of circumstances and our thoughts go out to his family and friends," Mr Worboys said.

"And also to the two police officers who are recuperating."

Two police officers who suffered head injuries in the confrontation were taken to hospital but have since been discharged.

- AAP