A Police Scotland officer, PC Alan Greer, 47, has been identified as a violent rapist who was under investigation for a series of sexual assaults and attempted murders of women over at least 14 years. Greer died by suicide on May 6, after being arrested on April 24 in connection with a rape reported in Glasgow in 2012.
An anti-corruption investigation was initiated after the 2012 victim reported the sex attack late last year. Detectives have since identified at least eight further victims, including five sex workers who were assaulted while Greer was off duty. The violence inflicted on some victims was reportedly so severe that charges of attempted murder would have been pursued if Greer were alive.
Greer, who had a wife and child and served 17 years with the force, joined Strathclyde Police in 2009 before it merged with Police Scotland in 2013. His service was described as unblemished prior to these revelations. He reportedly also took inappropriate photographs of two female police officers during their training.
Following Greer's arrest, officers from Police Scotland's anti-corruption unit searched a property in the Wishaw area of Lanarkshire, seizing electronic devices. The investigation gained traction when officers linked Greer to one of the assaults using a mobile phone number that was not on his personnel file. Intelligence from 2018 had indicated the owner of this number had been violent, but the individual could not be identified until Greer's arrest.
Sources close to the investigation described it as "Police Scotland’s Wayne Couzens moment," referencing the Metropolitan Police officer who received a whole-life sentence for the rape and murder of Sarah Everard in 2021. Greer's family and colleagues were reportedly unaware of his alleged double life.
Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff stated that while Greer cannot stand trial, the investigation is focused on identifying and supporting potential victims and establishing the full circumstances of the offenses. Police Scotland is appealing for any other victims or individuals with information to come forward, providing dedicated contact details for the inquiry: [email protected], 07484 438 539 (text facility), or 0300 426 6644 (landline with voicemail).
Justice Secretary Neil Gray called the case "terrible" and emphasized that the vast majority of officers serve to protect the public, urging confidence in reporting sexual violence crimes to the police.