FAQ

Cannot Log on?
Check all the topics below especially the 'case' you are typing in. Remember also that your Internet security settings should not be more than 'medium risk' and that 'cookies' should be enabled.

If you are having difficulty logging on to the site and you are sure that your ID and your password is correct and you are using Norton Firewall please proceed as follows as a problem with this application has been identified.

 

The above only refers to Norton Firewall 2003. For other versions the principle is the same, the object being to ‘disable browser privacy’ or/and to type in the appropriate place, the name of the site to allow it through the firewall. This may be found by accessing the help files for that particular version.

 

Other Firewalls

 

If you are using any other firewall than Norton it is also worth checking that you are ‘allowing’ this site through the firewall. (see last para. above).

 

Windows XP/Google & Other Downloaded Toolbars etc.

 

This operating system also gives problems of one type or another if not configured correctly for the different sites. As part of our site operates on ‘pop up windows’ i.e. message boxes and the like, it also figures that if the ‘pop up killer’ is selected ‘on’ then it may prevent our boxes from opening correctly or at all in some instances. In this case you need to turn off the ‘pop up killer’ to access the site. This applies also to the likes of the Google and other toolbars you may have downloaded or a ‘stand alone’ pop up killer. They all need to be turned off.

 

AoL

 

There is a specific problem when members use the AoL browser owing to their over cautious attitude towards some sites. We recommend that for use of this site you use the generic Internet Explorer browser. By so doing many of the problems you encounter will be alleviated.

How do I change my Email address?
Go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'edit your personal details/email address'

How do I change my password?
Go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'edit your personal details/email address'

How do I change my Email notifications (i.e. stop being notified of additions to the units I belong to or be notified less frequently)?
Go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'turn Email notifications on and off'

How do I amend my Unit/Station list?
Go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'amend my Unit/Station list'

How do I add another unit/station to my list?
Go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'add another unit/station to my list'

What if my unit/station is not listed?
Click on the 'your unit not listed?' which is written under the box showing the units currently input in each Formation. A box opens and you can add the unit. This is then looked at by the webmaster and if it is genuine and not duplicated it will be released. If you add a unit and cannot then see it or does not show under your units then it was probably duplicated and deleted. Look for the unit again and add yourself to the one already listed. Please remember that units are abbreviated on the database so a careful look is essential. If you are unable to find or add the unit successfully having checked the above, use the feedback facility to contact the webmaster.

How do I contact someone once I have found them?
Click on the little envelope icon at the right hand side of their details and a message box will open saying the mail is from you.

How do I reply to a message sent to me in this way?
DO NOT PRESS REPLY as that will send the message back to us and NOT to your friend. If they have enclosed their email address then create an email on your own email client and reply that way. If they have not enclosed their email address then log onto the site and find them and then click on the little envelope icon at the right hand side of their details and a message box will open saying the mail is from you.

How do I place a message or try to find a person on the message boards?
Go to the message board and if you are looking for a person click 'looking for' button and a box opens. Place the name of the person in the allocated space at the top of the box and a message in the lower half of the box, click 'continue' and follow the prompts. If it is a general message proceed as above but on this occasion click the 'general' button, type the nature of the message in the top half of the box and the rest of the message in the lower half of the box.

What pictures can I upload?
This area of the site is designed for members to upload pictures of themselves for others to see and to jog memories. This site uses a moderator and all pictures are checked before they appear in any public area. Pictures of a pornographic nature or anything indecent will be deleted prior to going on public view. Pictures that are not, in the opinion of the moderator, suitable for this area will also be deleted. These may include pictures of film stars, weaponry, cars, animated gifs and pictures generally not reflecting the personal nature of this area of the site. The moderators view is final and not open to discussion. File extensions allowed are .jpg and .gif ONLY

Can I change my country of residence on the site?
Yes, go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'edit your personal details/email address'. You can then change the country of residence by selecting from the drop-down box.

What is the Authentication Code that I get when I register?
This is a number that you are sent to ensure that the email address you have given is your email address. The email containing the number will be sent to the email address you registered with. You will only need to use it the first time you log in. When you receive the Authentication Code back, generally soon after registration, (but allow up to 24 hours before you contact us to say it has not arrived), you need to return to the log in screen, input your email address and in the next box the password you registered with and click 'log in'. When you have done this another screen opens and your email address is already inserted, what you have to do now is to input your password in the middle box and then the Authentication Code you were sent in the lower box. Now click log in and you have full free access to the site.

 

Do you charge for any of your services?
No, we do not charge members for any of the services offered. All users have full access to the site including the ability to email friends and colleagues.

Can I get a reciprocal link to this site and/or Police Oracle?
We are always keen to exchange links with suitable sites. Please contact the Webmaster by clicking this link webmaster@policeoracle.com

Can I remove a unit from my list?
Yes, go to the 'My Account' page and click on 'amend my Unit/Station list'. Look at the end of the line of the unit/station in question and click 'remove'

Do we accept telephone enquiries?
Yes, all calls are charged at National Rate on our national helpline 01737 222958 during normal office hours.

Why is my picture not appearing on the site?
See 'what pictures can I upload' above. If the picture was within the acceptable limits it will be uploaded during office hours Mon - Fri usually by 0900 hours or later if not submitted by that time in the morning.

I cannot log in?
Check all the topics above. Remember also that your Internet security settings should not be more than 'medium risk' and that 'cookies' should be enabled.

Security- General
At Police Reunited we take the security of our members very seriously. The system has been designed to ensure that an absolute minimum of information is available on the system to enable people to contact each other. Personal details are not displayed. Only registered users can use the e-mail facilities to contact other registered users. If one registered user decides to e-mail another, the sender's email details are not available to the recipient. If you use the 'Tell a Friend' facility, the 'pop-up' e-mail window that appears uses your own e-mail software. Therefore your e-mail address may be displayed in the 'properties' of that e-mail. The decision as to whether to reply to emails received via the system is yours and yours alone.

Security- Noticeboard
The Noticeboards are intended to be used for posting a variety of comments, appeals for information on past colleagues and general information for everyone to access. This is an unrestricted area and we therefore advise that no personal information is posted here. For example, if you post an appeal for information, or for people to contact you, ask them to contact you via the Police Reunited e-mail system where actual e-mail addresses are not displayed. Never leave personal 'phone numbers.

Concerns
If you have any concerns about the authenticity or content of emails you receive from other registered users, contact us and we will investigate. If the situation warrants it we will lock the sender's account and report the matter to the appropriate authorities, which could lead to more than just being suspended from the site.

Privacy
Police Reunited respects the privacy of its members. Personal or contact details of members will not be passed on to a third party without that person's consent.

 

Spam Emails

Increasingly, ISPs are using filtering systems to try and keep Spam out of customers' inboxes. Sometimes, they accidentally filter the e-mail that you want to receive.

To make sure that our emails and support e-mails are not filtered into your "junk" or "bulk" folder, please add us to your list of trusted senders.

 

Here's how:

Hotmail:

Place the domain http:/www.policereunited.co.uk in your safe list. The safe list can be accessed via the "Options" link next to the main menu tabs.

AOL:

Place the domain http:/www.policereunited.co.uk in your address book.

Yahoo! Mail:

If one of our emails is filtered to your 'bulk' folder, open the message and click on the "this is not Spam" link next to the "From" field.

Other providers:

If one of your emails is being filtered, try adding website@policeoracle.com or our newsletter's 'From' or 'Reply-to' address to your address book or contact list. If this option is not available, try moving the message to your 'inbox' or forwarding the message to yourself.

Alternatively send us an email at website@policeoracle.com asking us to re-send your authorisation code, and add website@policeoracle.com to your address book, or contact database.

If subsequent messages continue to be filtered, call or e-mail your ISP's tech support and specifically ask how you can be sure to receive all e-mail from http://www.policeoracle.com Follow their instructions for whitelisting http://www.policeoracle.com

We're very sorry for the inconvenience, but these circumstances are beyond our control. All we can do is work together with the ISPs to shut out the spammers.

IMPORTANT: If you use a service like SpamArrest make sure that you accept emails from website@policeoracle.com

 

CLEARING YOUR CACHE

Protect yourself by wiping out your web pages
To make your account even more secure, we instruct most browsers not to cache (or store) the web pages you've seen in their memory. This prevents others from calling up the last pages you visited, which is important if you share a computer.
This feature does not work when using an Internet Explorer browser with a Mac. We therefore strongly recommend that you always clear your cache when you log-out of your account. If you are using a Netscape browser, this feature can also limit your print function when you are in your account.

To ensure that your computer is not caching pages especially when sharing it with others and in Internet Cafes and libraries, it is advisable to empty the cache anyway.

How to clear your cache
To clear your cache, follow the instructions below for your type of computer and browser.

PC USERS

Netscape
Select the 'Edit' menu and then 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu.
Select 'Advanced'.
From the dropdown menu choose 'Cache'. Then select 'Clear Memory Cache' and 'Clear Disk Cache' buttons.

Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 4/5/6)
Select 'View' and then 'Internet Options'.
Choose the 'General' tab. On the 'Temporary Internet Files' section of the screen use the 'Delete Files' button.

APPLE MACINTOSH USERS
Netscape
Select the 'Edit' menu and then 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu. Click on 'Advanced'.
From the dropdown menu choose 'Cache' and then select the 'Clear Disk Cache Now' button.

Microsoft Internet Explorer (versions 4 & 5)
Select 'Edit' and then 'Preferences. Select 'Web Browser'.
From the dropdown menu choose 'Advanced'. On the 'Cache' section of the screen, use the 'Empty Now' button.

Email Addresses
Your email address is not made available to anyone on screen. You should ensure that any information you place on screen does not contain your e-mail address as this could be used by others to send unsolicited emails.