The family of a Brazilian student who died following a fatal pursuit through Sydney's streets last year has welcomed the police watchdog's referral of the case for possible criminal charges.

The Police Integrity Commission on Monday referred a brief of evidence against five officers to the NSW Director of Public Prosecution, asking they examine the evidence compiled for a prosecution.

The 21-year-old Brazilian student known as "Beto" to his family and close friends died after a violent and ''thuggish'' chase through Sydney's pre-dawn streets in March 2012, during which he was chased, stunned by Tasers 14 times, blasted with capsicum spray, handcuffed and restrained by up to seven police at once.

An inquest last year ended with State Coroner Mary Jerram referring the case to the PIC, saying the five officers had been involved in a ''reckless, careless, dangerous and excessively forceful'' pursuit of the Brazilian student through Sydney streets in the early hours of March 18.