As of 2026, Missouri does not have a statewide law that mandates law enforcement agencies to use body-worn cameras (BWCs) or dashcams.

While many states have moved toward universal mandates, Missouri leaves this decision up to individual municipalities, counties, and the State Highway Patrol. However, there are specific legal frameworks that govern how these cameras are used once an agency chooses to adopt them.

1. Current Legal Landscape

• No Statewide Mandate: There is no “one size fits all” requirement in the Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo) forcing every department to buy or wear cameras.
• Agency Discretion: Most agencies (like the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department or the Missouri State Highway Patrol) have their own internal policies regarding when a camera must be turned on (e.g., during traffic stops, pursuits, or arrests).

2. Trends in Missouri (2024–2026)

Even without a state law, the use of cameras has become the “de facto” standard for many:

• Grant Funding: Many Missouri departments have received federal or state grants that require them to maintain a BWC program as a condition of the money.
• City Ordinances: Larger cities like St. Louis and Kansas City have implemented their own local mandates through city council resolutions.
• Liability: Most insurance providers for Missouri municipalities now strongly encourage (or effectively require) dashcams and bodycams to reduce legal liability in “he said/she said” lawsuits.

3. Patchwork

Because Missouri law remains silent on mandating the equipment, this creates a “patchwork” where a defendant in one jurisdiction might have high-definition video of their arrest, while a defendant in a smaller rural county might have none at all.