Women's safety groups have called for a full investigation into sex predator cop Alan Greer, with one comparing him to Wayne Couzens. Greer is being investigated over allegations that he carried out a series of sexual assaults and attempted murders of women over a 14-year period while off duty, before his death in May.
Allegations and victims
The whistle was blown on the PC after a woman he is said to have raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 came forward at the end of last year. Detectives have so far uncovered a further eight victims, five of whom were women involved in prostitution.
Couzens was a Metropolitan Police officer who was jailed for the rape and murder of Sarah Everard in London five years ago.
Reactions from women's groups
Rape Crisis Scotland external affairs manager Nicola Love said: “This is a really disturbing report which highlights the actions of a perpetrator who was able to repeatedly abuse his position as a police officer to carry out attacks against vulnerable women. It is very likely we will never know the full extent of what he has done. Alan Greer is a stain on Police Scotland in the same way that Wayne Couzens is a stain on the Met Police.”
Dawn Brennan, CEO of Glasgow women's safety charity Wise Women, said: “This is an extremely disturbing case. As Greer was off duty at times of attacks, it would have been challenging to recognise some of his behaviour. Improving our ability to recognise and respond to such attitudes is essential. It is significant that many of Greer's victims were women exploited through prostitution, as these are some of the most vulnerable women in our community. This would indicate premeditated violence and abuse that was motivated by misogyny and a sense of authority and privilege.”
Police investigation and appeal
Police Scotland have appealed for victims of Greer to come forward. Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff said: “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. 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.”
Greer took his own life on May 6 this year after his home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, was raided by police in April. Seven mobile phones and a laptop were seized during the raid, and Greer was suspended from duty and released pending further enquiries. Thousands of graphic videos and images were found.
