MM SHORTS: 07 of 16 “No Complaints”

“NO COMPLAINTS”

MM Shorts (7th of 16)

Colossians 4:6  -  Galatians 6:9

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

This is episode is #7 of 16 in the Mighty Moment series "Mighty Moment Shorts" and is entitled “No Complaints”.  A cop makes thousands of stops and holds a unique record. What’s his secret, and how does he keep defying expectations? This episode shares one officer’s story and reveals there’s more to every encounter than meets the eye.

SERIES DESCRIPTION

“Mighty Moment Shorts” are brief 5-8 minute devotional thoughts.  These 16 episodes were the very first episodes of “Mighty Moment” before the current 14 ½ - minute format.  You will also notice the style is different with music playing in the background.

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EPISODE RESOURCES

Episode Bible Study Guide

[Not Available for this Episode]

Episode Transcript

https://mightymoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MM_01_01_007-No-Complaints-SH-07-of-16-Transcript.pdf

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MIGHTY  MOMENT

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FILE: MM01_01_007

© Mighty Moment 2021

Chapters

• 0:00 Mighty Moment Song
• 0:29 Announcer Greeting
• 1:07 Officer Simmons
• 2:06 Perfect Record
• 2:45 A Disarming Smile
• 3:24 False Assumption
• 4:15 Humble Peer
• 4:38 You Have a Choice
• 5:23 Seasoned with Salt
• 6:04 Announcer Close
• 6:34 Mighty Moment Song

Transcript

“NO COMPLAINTS”

#7 of 16

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“Mighty Moment Shorts”

Podcast Series

Episode #7 of 16

A “Mighty Moment” Podcast Series

by

Dr. Bobby J. Boles

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 OFFICIAL PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

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OFFICER SIMMONS (1:07)

Stories of the police, mostly negative, and their interaction and engagement with the public, have dominated the news cycle recently. Allow me to share a story with you from a few years back about a police officer that will bring a refreshing balance to the other news we hear. Officer Elton Simmons serves the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. He's a traffic cop who mainly focuses on enforcing the rules of the road. All day, every day, he's pulling drivers over for infractions like speeding, running red lights, tag issues etc. Sounds like a terrible job to me. An officer that had that job probably would need to be stern, no nonsense, and demonstrate that they were in control, as the drivers would obviously be upset and angry for being pulled over. Seems almost unfair to motor cops as they would obviously have more complaints than their colleagues on the floors. Or it would seem, captain Pat Maxwell, officer Simmons' supervisor was doing a review of his record and thought he must have made a mistake. 

PERFECT RECOrD (2:06)

In Officer Simmons' supervisor was doing a review of his record and thought he must have made a mistake In Officer Simmons' career a distinguished one, by the way, full of many, many accommodations and awards. It spans over 20 years, 25,000 traffic stops. As the captain reviewed the record, he could not find even one complaint. You heard right. Not a single complaint Ever. Wow, this officer does not have one complaint filed against him. Over 20 years of service and over 25,000 stops. Now, that is impressive and is, in fact, a record for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

A DISARMING SMILE (2:45)

As it turns out, this officer is the exact opposite of what one might perceive or misperceive a motor cop to be. He stands out and represents the good in police departments across the nation, who do their job a very difficult and dangerous one with professional excellence in service to the community. Officer Simmons does his job not only efficiently, but also professionally and with kindness. He interacts with people with respect and doesn't have a swagger or attitude. Seems to me that his perfect public opinion is even more incredible given the current climate that we are living in today. 

FALSE ASSUMPTION (3:24)

One would assume that a police officer whose job it is to issue tickets would have many complaints from cranky and upset drivers. I mean, when Officer Simmons pulls someone over, odds are that some of the people he pulls over already dislike him even before he opens his mouth, just because he is a cop. However, Simmons is able to disarm their prejudices, preconceptions and emotions, gain their confidence and, in the end has them smiling. That is the power of a kind and respectful interaction. One driver he pulled over said this it's his smile. How can you mean bad at that guy? He is so nice. Another driver said, after being cited I have never been so happy to get a ticket in my life.

HUMBLE PEER (4:15)

When approached about this record of no complaints, officer Simmons humbly responded that he was not aware of it. He did not realize that he had no complaints and said he was just doing his job. He was asked what his secret was. He says he doesn't look down on people and sees himself as their peer. This is the point of this story, isn't it?

YOU HAVE A CHOICE (4:38)

Regardless of your task, your job, your conversation, you always have a choice how you speak. You have a choice how you interact with others. Just because the task is difficult, it does not mean it cannot be done with respect and kindness. What an incredible story. I thought of the Bible verses “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). And another one “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9). 

SEASONED WITH SALT (5:23)

May our words today be seasoned with salt. No matter what our agenda, no matter how we feel, no matter how challenging the duty that lies ahead, may we do it with our excellence and in kindness. It is not always easy and it definitely takes intentionality, but we have someone to assist us. Ask the Lord to give you patience, the right words to say and to convey a tone of kindness. In the Lord's power, our goal should always be no complaints.

© Mighty Moment 2021