The anticipated next leader of the Missouri House has reservations about mandating body cameras for all police in the state.

Two urban state lawmakers say they will file bills that would require all law enforcement officers in the state to wear body cameras. Speaker of the House-elect John Diehl, Junior (R-Town and Country), says that’s not an issue he thinks should be up to the state.

Earlier story: Two lawmakers want to mandate body cameras for Missouri law enforcement

“I don’t think this is something where it needs to be a state mandate on local governments on how they’re supposed to police,” Diehl tells Missourinet.

Diehl says he anticipates many local jurisdictions will make the decision that using body cameras is a good idea. He thinks it should be up to them, too, to make policy decisions about how to use those cameras.

“For example,” says Diehl, “when is an officer required to have his camera on? What happens if the camera’s not on?”

Diehl makes clear, however, that as Speaker he would not let such bills won’t come up for consideration.

“I don’t want to go that far,” says Diehl. “I’m sure that this is a serious enough decision and a serious enough situation where it warrants some discussion, so I’m not going to make any predictions at this point as to what’s going to move and pass and what’s not.”

Prefiling of legislation begins December 1.