A police constable was shot and injured in Thompson Town, Trelawny, on Saturday night after he intervened in a dispute between his relatives and other persons in the community.

"Firearms were drawn and the officer was hit by the shooter to the left side of his chest and right arm," Senior Superintendent Carlos Russell, the commanding officer in charge of the Trelawny Division, told THE STAR.

The constable, who is attached to the Clarendon Police Division, reportedly attempted to open fire on his attacker, but he escaped. Up to press time yesterday, the cop was said to be hospitalised in critical condition.