New police commander for Eastern Bay

Inspector Kevin Taylor (right) is the new area commander for the Eastern Bay of Plenty. He is pictured here at an awards ceremony in 2011 with Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.

Eastern Bay of Plenty has a new police commander with Inspector Kevin Taylor officially taking up the mantle from today.

He succeeds Sandra Venables who took up the role of District Commander Eastern District in the Hawkes Bay earlier this year with a promotion to superintendent.

Inspector Taylor, who is married with four children, has served the New Zealand community as a police officer for 31 years.

Aside from Lower Hutt and Hamilton, the majority of his policing career has been here in the Bay of Plenty.

He was a sergeant in Tokoroa and later the officer in charge of Putaruru for six years. As a Senior Sergeant he was the officer in charge of Te Puke, and then a request to relieve in the Human Resources Manager at District Headquarters in Rotorua for a few weeks turned into 10 years.

During his time at District Headquarters he has relieved as Area Commander for Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty as well as District Commander and Road Policing Manager.

"I'm looking forward to a change and a new challenge," says Inspector Taylor.

"I will be joining a team of people who are passionate about policing and keeping their local community safe, and I will be embracing the chance to build on that good work.

"The area is not without its issues. It has seen a rise in crime over the last few years and even though that has been tailing off there is still work to be done.

"There is also a big road trauma problem and there is a challenge to address a number of issues; particularly around high risk drivers, alcohol, speed and restraints which are contributing to too many deaths and serious injuries on our Eastern Bay of Plenty roads. So road policing is a centre in my mind and it's not just about enforcement; it is about changing culture and getting the community to come on board to reduce road trauma.

"Strong partnerships with local agencies and the community will be at the heart of my role as they are essential if we are to reduce the effects of crime and road trauma."