A police officer in Scotland, Alan Greer, who committed a series of attempted murders and serious sexual assaults, was hired by Strathclyde Police in 2009 despite prior reports of criminal behavior against women. Greer had been investigated by police in 2002 and 2005 for inappropriate phone calls to women, receiving a formal caution in one instance.
Greer, who died by suicide in May shortly after a police raid on his home, served as an officer for 17 years. His crimes included raping a vulnerable woman shortly after meeting her while on duty. He also assaulted numerous sex workers he encountered during his career and took inappropriate photos of female colleagues. Police Scotland has identified 15 victims, but the actual number is believed to be higher.
Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff stated in July 2026 that the vetting process has significantly changed since Greer's hiring and that he would not pass current checks. Officers now undergo annual integrity testing and routine re-vetting.
However, a 2006 Strathclyde Police handbook indicated that individuals with cautions or convictions that could compromise their integrity or the force's integrity should not be recruited. Craig Naylor, who led a 2023 review into Police Scotland's vetting processes, stated that Greer should never have been admitted to the police force and that there were missed opportunities to prevent his recruitment.
A Police Scotland spokesperson commented that the force has been transparent regarding information about Greer's case. The spokesperson noted that no information surfaced during Greer's career that would have led to the earlier identification of his criminal behavior. The recruitment and vetting process used by Strathclyde Police prior to Greer joining in 2009 will be part of an independent review by the National Police Chiefs' Council.
Naylor's 2023 inquiry highlighted significant deficiencies in Police Scotland's vetting procedures, including a failure to re-vet staff after the merger of Scottish police forces in 2013. Approximately 8,800 police officers and staff, about one-third of the total workforce, had not yet been re-vetted at the time of the inquiry.