Law enforcement officers from across the region are in town to learn some new techniques for catching bad guys--from firing tasers to giving chase.

More than 300 officers are training at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy.

And they're bringing with them more than their guns and badges.

These officers are bringing in the money.

They will be in Gadsden County for an entire week; and while the trainers are glad the officers have a willingness to learn, business owners are glad the officers have their wallets--to help economically stimulate the community.

At 60 m.p.h., officers have an extra 2.8 seconds to decide what technique to use when going after a suspect.

Law Enforcement officers from around the region not only have to think this week, but do.

They'll be doing a lot during a High Liability Training Conference at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy in Midway.

FDLE Agent Sheila Smith said, "I think this is wonderful. It's a great way for students to learn how to do the skids and how to get out of the skids without actually putting damage on the cars or getting in a dangerous situation."

The action isn't just on the driving course. It's the action local businesses are getting that the community appreciates.

Tallahassee Police Training Sergeant Stephen Vaughn said, "Anytime you can bring a group of people from somewhere else and come and spend money in your area, that is a good thing. There's plenty of room here for growth at the academy. It will grow. More people will come."

Academy officials say out of the 350 law enforcement officers from various police departments, sheriff's offices, correctional institutions and state agencies, about 300 of them are staying in local hotels.

One hotel manager in Midway, Nital Bhakta, said, "It is good to have the business here since we are such a small area, to get the business from them helps us with the way that the economy is. It helps us bring in business, and that way we can keep going."

Trainees also have to eat, shop and get gas.

The conference is Oct. 19-23.

Officials say including lodging, they believe the economic impact over those five days will be between $50,000 to $60,000.

The conference also includes training on firearms, defensive tactics, and first aid. These officers are trainers who will go back to their own departments and train others.

This is the first time that the training session includes officers from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Officials say the conference is normally held at hotels in the usual tourist spots like Daytona or Orlando.

Because of the tremendous economic impact it has, officials are ecstatic about having it here in our area.