UPDATED 6.56PM: An Invercargill police officer has been charged with the murder of his wife and the attempted murder of another man.

Constable Benjamin Peter McLean has appeared before a judge at a Southland Hospital bedside hearing this afternoon.

The 47-year-old is charged with murdering Verity Ann McLean - with whom he has three children - and the attempted murder of Garry William Duggan.

McLean was remanded in custody by consent to May 18th, when he will appear in the High Court in Invercargill by video link.

Bail was not sought.

The man charged presented himself to Invercargill Police station a short time after the shooting, police said. 

Police say two senior CIB officers from outside Invercargill will help lead the investigation, to help police remain impartial as they investigate the case.

Ballistics specialists will help police reconstruct what happened last night.

Around 30 staff from inside and outside the district are working on the case.

Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham says the priority for police is to remain impartial.

"We must also ensure that we protect the court process which is to come, and that the individual involved is afforded the same rights as any other member of the public."