Remembering a respected leader: Police Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Kevin Taylor dies 10 Jan, 2021 06:00 PM 4 minutes to read Police Eastern Bay Area Commander Kevin Taylor died two days before Christmas. Photo / File Bay of Plenty Times Inspector Kevin J Taylor was the type of person who when he spoke, people listened. As a leader, he was able to build relationships – sometimes from the brink of disaster – and that, alongside his ability to simply get things done, meant he excelled in his policing. Taylor died on December 23, just a few days before his 58th birthday and after spending almost 38 years with New Zealand Police. His most recent role was as Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander.