Detective Sergeant Oral Henry leaves the Norman Manley International Airport shortly after arriving from a peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

At a time when the police force is in need of novel approaches to tackle Jamaica's crime problem, Detective Sergeant Oral Henry will be leading the charge.

The crime fighter, who returned from a United Nations peacekeeping mission in the African region of Darfur, Sudan, told The Gleaner the tour of duty proved very informative and he would draw knowledge from it to apply to policing strategies in Jamaica.

Darfur is a war-torn area which has suffered a number of upheavals dating back to 2003. More than 300,000 citizens have been killed in fighting and nearly three million displaced, mainly due to attacks by Janjaweed rebels, allegedly backed by the government.

Jamaica is blessed

"The mission really makes me realise that Jamaica is a blessed country; as a result of the poverty, hopelessness and other dangers that I have seen, we are blessed, really," remarked Henry.

The Manchester-born Henry said it was an advisory mission and the 11-member delegation did not have any executive power. He said though they were there merely as observers, the cultural mix of personnel from 41 nations gave him valuable experience that would enrich his current job.

"I have been a police for 17 years, and spent 10 in the Narcotics Division. What I have learnt can assist me in the work," the cop remarked.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com