PENSACOLA, Fla. – A special prosecutor investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy beaten by guards at a juvenile boot camp said yesterday that an “independent law enforcement agency” will help with the probe because he has concerns about the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Mark Ober cited recently disclosed emails from the FDLE’s commissioner to the boot camp operator that Governor Jeb Bush has agreed were inappropriate.

FDLE Commissioner Guy Tunnell had started the Bay County boot camp when he was sheriff there, and the Bay County office under Sheriff Frank McKeithen was running it when 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson died January 6.

In e-mails to Mr. McKeithen, Mr.Tunnell criticized those who questioned the effectiveness of the boot camp concept.

Mr.Tunnell’s e-mails with Mr. McKeithen and others also discussed FDLE’s effort to withhold a video showing guards kicking, hitting and dragging the boy in an exercise yard during a 30-minute encounter on January 5.

After two lawmakers asked to see the video, Mr. Tunnell wrote in an email to department staffers: “Ain’t gonna happen.” The department later released the video.

Mr. Bush has said Mr.Tunnell should not have communicated privately with Mr. McKeithen about the investigation. He appointed Mr. Ober as special prosecutor for the case after Bay County’s prosecutor asked to be removed citing close ties with local law enforcement.

Mr. Ober, who is Hillsborough County’s state attorney, said Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee had agreed to assist with the investigation. He didn’t say whether Mr. Gee would completely replace FDLE’s involvement.

“I have determined that it is in the best interest of this investigation that an independent law enforcement agency assist my office in completing this investigation,” Mr. Ober said. His Tampa-based office declined to comment further.