A police officer who took his own life earlier this year was a violent rapist and sex offender who targeted multiple women over a number of years, reports have revealed.
PC Alan Greer’s first known victim told police last year that he had raped her in her Glasgow home in 2012 after she called the police to report a crime. He was arrested in April and was under investigation by Police Scotland when he died in May this year.
Detectives have since uncovered eight more victims, five of whom were sex workers, attacked while Greer was off duty, according to a BBC investigation.
Police Scotland is now appealing for any further victims to come forward in an investigation described as “one of the largest and most complex enquiries ever undertaken by the anti-corruption unit”.
Allegations made against him include instances of attempted murder and violent sexual offending, police said.
Assistant chief constable Lynn Ratcliff for professionalism and assurance said work is “ongoing” to identify the full extent of Greer’s offending.
“My thoughts, firstly, are with the victims in this case who have spoken up and reported these allegations, as well as with Alan Greer’s family, friends and colleagues who have been deeply affected by these reports and his death,” she said.
“The investigation into this matter is one of the largest and most complex enquiries ever undertaken by the anti-corruption unit and significant work is ongoing to fully ascertain the extent of offending and identify and support as many victims as possible.”
She added while Greer cannot stand trial for these allegations, the investigation is focused on “identifying and supporting potential victims, giving them a voice, and establishing the full circumstances”.
“It is essential that members of the public, victims, and witnesses, feel confident speaking with the police and know the overwhelming majority of our officers serve with professionalism and integrity to protect people, investigate matters, and bring offenders to justice,” she said.
“I would encourage anyone with any information or who may be a victim in this case to please come forward and speak to us. You will be listened to and given the support you need.”
A source close to the investigation told the BBC: “It feels a bit like this could be Police Scotland’s Wayne Couzens moment.”
Wayne Couzens was a serving Metropolitan Police officer who raped and murdered Sarah Everard while off-duty.
Last year, Lady Elish Angiolini, who chaired the inquiry into Couzens, warned police forces in England and Wales have still not barred men with criminal convictions or cautions for sexual offences from applying to join.
