Alan Greer: Rapist police officer who tried to kill women passed vetting despite previous caution

A police officer who was revealed to be a violent rapist was allowed to join the force despite vetting staff being aware he had previously been formally cautioned over inappropriate phone calls to a woman.

Alan Greer, 47, joined Police Scotland in 2009, four years after the Metropolitan Police issued him a caution in 2005, and after he had also been investigated in 2002 over inappropriate phone calls to a woman in Glasgow.

The revelations come after Greer was identified as the officer at the centre of an investigation into serious sexual offending and attempted murder.

It is understood he took his own life in May, shortly after his home was searched by police.

Police Scotland has confirmed that its vetting unit was aware of Greer’s 2005 caution when he applied to join the force.

It comes after the force previously said there was “nothing to suggest” there had been any missed opportunities to identify Greer’s offending earlier.

Police Scotland has since clarified that those comments related to Greer’s offending during his policing career, rather than his recruitment and vetting.

The recruitment and vetting process carried out by Strathclyde Police in 2009 will now form part of an independent and external review by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

’14-year campaign of sexual assault and attempted murder’

Greer’s campaign of sexual assault and attempted murder spanned a period of more than 14 years, according to a BBC Disclosure investigation.

His first known victim was a woman he raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 after she called the police to report a crime.

According to the report, he returned to the woman’s home alone hours after attending the call and raped her.

She reported the attack by Greer late last year, sparking the investigation.

Police have since identified 15 victims and said specialist officers and partner agencies are supporting those affected.

Police Scotland PC Alan Greer, 47, killed himself after being arrested for a series of serious sex crimes including rape. Police Scotland

Greer was investigated by Strathclyde Police in 2002 after making inappropriate phone calls to a woman in Glasgow.

The case was reported to the procurator fiscal, but no action was taken.

In 2005, he was investigated by the Metropolitan Police over similar behaviour towards a woman in London and was formally cautioned.

Police Scotland has confirmed that the 2005 caution was known to Strathclyde Police’s vetting unit when Greer applied to join the force four years later.

It has not commented on how that information was dealt with, citing the forthcoming independent review.

It is also unclear whether the 2002 investigation was known to vetting staff at the time.

Greer served as a police officer for almost 17 years before his death in May.

The investigation into Greer began after police received a complaint relating to a non-recent serious sexual assault allegedly carried out by an unidentified police officer.

Detectives from Police Scotland’s Anti-Corruption Unit carried out extensive enquiries before identifying Greer.

The 47-year-old was arrested on Friday, April 24, after officers searched a property in the Wishaw area.

He was released without charge pending further investigation and was suspended from duty at that time with full welfare support in place.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, officers were called to the same property where Greer was found deceased. It is understood he took his own life.

Police Scotland is urging anyone who may have been affected by Greer’s offending to come forward.

Historic data wash

The circumstances surrounding Greer’s recruitment will now be examined as part of the independent review.

Police Scotland also confirmed that a historic data wash carried out following concerns over its vetting procedures produced no hits relating to Greer.

The force said 11 of 15 recommendations made following an HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland review of vetting processes in 2023 have now been discharged.

Work remains ongoing on the other four.

Police said the vetting landscape in 2026 is “markedly different” from that of 2009 and that, under current arrangements, Greer’s application would not have progressed.

A spokesperson said: “We have been completely open and transparent around information which can be shared in relation to the ongoing investigation into Alan Greer.

“During an interview with the BBC on July 20, 2026 we provided answers to questions relating to Alan Greer’s offending during the course of his policing career, which spanned almost 17 years.

“The investigation has not established any information during his career which could have resulted in his criminal behaviour being identified at an earlier stage.

“The recruitment and vetting process carried out by Strathclyde Police prior to Alan Greer joining in 2009 will form part of an independent and external review by the National Police Chiefs’ Council. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

“We have already stated publicly that the vetting landscape in 2026 is markedly different from that in 2009 and, under current arrangements, Alan Greer’s application would not have progressed.

“Our absolute priority throughout this investigation is to support victims. As work continues to identify and support everyone affected by this case it is imperative that we do not disclose any information which could be detrimental to that support.”

The Scottish Police Authority said its oversight of the case would continue, informed by a review by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and the independent National Police Chiefs’ Council review.

A Scottish Police Authority spokesperson said: “While this investigation remains live, three Authority members raised a number of initial questions to seek assurance about the approach being taken, the impact on public confidence, the timelines for the independent review, and the assertion that significant changes to vetting regulations would mean an individual such as Alan Greer, would not be able to join policing today.

“The Authority’s oversight of this case, and any subsequent learning from it, will continue, informed by PIRC’s review and the independent review to be conducted by Chris Todd, the National Police Chiefs Council’s lead on professionalism.”

Detectives, during the course of enquiries, have identified eight more victims of Greer, five of whom were sex workers who were attacked while Greer was off duty.

Officers are urging any more potential victims to come forward.

Have you been impacted by this investigation?

Tell us your story.

Anyone with information or who thinks they may have been a victim of Greer is asked to contact the enquiry team. This can be done via email at OperationSubmarine@scotland.police.uk or by telephone.

A dedicated mobile number with text facility has been established – 07484 438 539. A landline for the enquiry team, with voicemail facility, is also available – 0300 426 6644.

Help and support is available now if you need it.

The Samaritans can be contacted any time, from any phone, free on 116 123, email at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Details of other services and more information can be found on the NHS website here.

You can also speak to Victim Support Scotland on 0800 160 1985 who offer free and tailored support. In an emergency, always dial 999 if within the United Kingdom.