An independent review into the case of a rapist police officer, Alan Greer, who carried out sex attacks for at least 14 years before taking his own life, may not be published in full. Police Scotland announced a review in July, to be conducted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council with assistance from Humberside Police, following Greer's arrest.
Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff informed the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) that publishing the full review is an ‘aspiration,’ leading to concerns that the final version may be redacted. This has fueled fears of an establishment cover-up, according to Stephen Kerr, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman. "Anything less will look like another establishment cover-up when what is desperately needed is accountability," Kerr stated.
Greer, 47, died by suicide on May 6, after being arrested for sex attacks. Colleagues were informed of his death via the force’s intranet, noting he was suspended and under criminal investigation. Greer’s wife and family were reportedly unaware of his crimes.
Police Scotland is continuing its investigation into the extent of Greer’s criminality. Separately, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is probing the circumstances surrounding his death. ACC Ratcliff stated to the SPA’s complaints and conduct committee that the aspiration was to share the report in full, while acknowledging potential "caveats." Police Scotland later affirmed this commitment, noting a progress update would be provided to the committee in November and the review is expected to take four to six months.
Concerns have been raised regarding historic vetting arrangements and the handling of information related to Greer. Last month, it emerged that he was allowed to join the police force despite a history of criminal behavior towards women. He passed vetting checks in 2009, even though at least one report of criminal behavior was known to Strathclyde Police at the time.
Greer's first rape victim was a woman who had come forward as a crime victim in 2012. Investigators have identified nine victims, five of whom were sex workers. Some of the sex attacks were so violent they were considered attempted murder. Greer employed multiple pseudonyms and at least seven phones to conceal his identity and offending. Thousands of graphic images and videos were recovered from his phones, revealing the scale of his criminal activity.
The case has drawn comparisons to that of former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, who was imprisoned for life for the kidnap, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard in 2021.
In a separate case, former police officer Campbell Petrie, 50, has been convicted of numerous charges, including two counts of rape, indecent assault, assault with intent to rape, and assault to injury and danger of life, committed between 2006 and 2023. Petrie was a serving officer during these offenses and was arrested, charged, and suspended in December 2023. He retired from Police Scotland in December 2025.
Following his conviction at the High Court in Glasgow, Petrie was remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing next month. Detective Superintendent Adam Brown of Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit emphasized the force's commitment to pursuing perpetrators of violence against women and girls and commended the victims' strength in reporting these crimes. "I want to reassure the public we will identify and investigate these officers whether they are serving or retired, or whether their crimes are committed on duty or off duty," Brown stated.