Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Scotland fans take part in the Tartan Army march in South Beach. Photo: Ryan McDougall/PA Images via Getty Images
A festive crowd gathered on South Beach last month, holding beers and playing music. Some even climbed onto a fire rescue ATV.
The big picture: This wasn't spring break; it was a World Cup parade led by Scottish football fans known as the Tartan Army.
- While Miami Beach has historically imposed strict rules on spring break party crowds — due to years of fatal shootings and rowdy behavior — city leaders marched alongside the Scottish supporters.
Between the lines: Before the World Cup, police from Miami and other North American host cities traveled to Scotland.
- There, they received training on Scottish culture and policing major events with de-escalation and public safety tactics, according to Police Scotland.
- Four Scottish police officers traveled to the Americas to support Scottish fans during the tournament.
Zoom in: The June 23 march, organized without a city permit, was peaceful and there were no arrests or incidents reported, police said.
- Scottish fans also marched through Little Havana in Miami last month with drinks in hand and a police escort, despite rules in both cities against drinking in public.
What they're saying: Miami Beach Police spokesperson Officer Christopher Bess told Axios that members of the department, through their training in Scotland, learned about Scottish cultural traditions.
- For example: placing traffic cones on statues, which is also technically against the law in Miami Beach, he said.
- The Tartan Army march on Ocean Drive was a "controlled operation" planned months in advance, he said.
Bess said officers use discretion when policing misdemeanors, including public alcohol consumption, whether that's during spring break or the World Cup.
- He said Beach police have had to enforce "strict guidelines" during spring break because of past fatal shootings.
- But even during spring break, officers don't arrest everyone walking around with an open beer, he said.
The big picture: Bess said officers want to be welcoming of international visitors and their traditions while maintaining public safety.
- "We don't want to spark a riot, we don't want to provoke individuals, just like we don't during spring break," he said. "That's why our officers do exercise discretion when needed."
- "There is a holistic point of view to all of this. ... We're policing fairly in both cases, whether that's spring break or the Tartan Army."
Miami Police did not respond to repeated requests for comment.