A serving Scottish police officer, Alan Greer, 47, who died by suicide following his arrest, has been identified as a serial rapist who was being investigated for a series of sexual assaults and attempted murders of women. The investigation into Greer, who had 17 years of service, revealed he carried out assaults over at least 14 years.
Greer's first known victim reported being raped in her Glasgow home in 2012. This report, made late last year, triggered an anti-corruption investigation by Police Scotland. Detectives have since identified at least eight further victims, including five sex workers he assaulted while off duty. The severity of the violence against some victims was such that had Greer been alive, charges of attempted murder would have been sought.
Greer was arrested on April 24 after a woman reported a 2012 rape. A search of a property in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, by the anti-corruption unit led to the seizure of electronic devices. Hundreds of graphic images and videos were recovered. Police were able to link Greer to one assault after identifying a mobile phone number not on his personnel file. Intelligence from 2018 indicated the owner of this number had been violent towards a sex worker, but the number could not be definitively linked to Greer until his arrest.
Greer, who was married with a child, reportedly used hundreds of sex workers during his career. Two female police officers are understood to be among his victims, having had inappropriate photographs taken of them during training. Greer was found dead at his home on May 6. His family and colleagues were reportedly unaware of his double life.
A source close to the investigation described it to the BBC as potentially "Police Scotland's Wayne Couzens moment," referencing the Metropolitan Police officer convicted of the rape and murder of Sarah Everard in 2021.
Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff stated that while Greer cannot stand trial, the investigation's aim is to identify and support potential victims and establish the full circumstances of the offenses. She urged anyone with information or who may be a victim to come forward.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray called the case "terrible" and emphasized that while the vast majority of officers serve to protect the public, any abuse of trust by an officer is "heinous." He encouraged the public to report any crimes involving sexual violence.
Police Scotland has established an inquiry team and is appealing for any other victims to come forward. The investigation is described as one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken by the anti-corruption unit.