Human rights lawyer urges taser reform

Stricter rules for police use of Tasers are needed following the death of a Sydney man who collapsed in custody after he was shocked with one of the potentially-lethal stun devices, a human rights lawyer says.

Kevin Norris, 38, collapsed and died at Bowral Police Station on Sunday night after being arrested at a McDonald's outlet in Mittagong.

Police say they used capsicum spray and then a Taser to subdue Mr Norris, before handcuffing him and taking him to the police station.

Mr Norris' girlfriend, Raylene Waters, has reportedly blamed the use of a Taser for the death of the roof tiler, who is said to have been addicted to ice and had been on a "bender" in the days running up to his sudden death.

Police have launched a critical incident investigation into the matter.

The Human Rights Law Centre's Anna Brown says tougher rules governing police use of Tasers are needed following Mr Norris' death.

"In order to avoid further deaths in the future there's an urgent need to regulate the use of force in line with human rights law and international standards," Ms Brown told AAP.

"It needs to be made clear that force is only lawful as a last resort and where strictly necessary.

"What we're seeing is Tasers being used to achieve compliance with police directions in a manner that's inappropriate or excessive."

According to police guidelines issued in July 2014, an officer can discharge a Taser in a range of situations, including to "protect human life" or to protect others "where violent confrontation or violent resistance is occurring or imminent".

Mr Norris' death is the latest high profile NSW death involving a Taser since that of 20-year-old Roberto Curti, who died on March 2012 after officers in Sydney's CBD tasered him 14 times, used capsicum spray, handcuffs and a baton and knelt on him.

A NSW police spokesman said recommendations about police use of Tasers made at a coronial inquest into Mr Curti's death had been incorporated into training and operating procedures "where appropriate".

The 2012 inquest had recommended police review the use of Tasers, including whether the drive-stun mode should be outlawed and whether Tasers should be issued to probationary officers.

In a statement, the spokesman said probationary constables were allowed to carry Tasers and that the drive-stun function had not been banned.