Kash Heed says targeting crime in Metro Vancouver is one of his key priorities. (CBC)

Fighting crime in Metro Vancouver will be a major theme of Kash Heed's campaign in the May 12 provincial election, he says.

The former West Vancouver police chief announced Wednesday that he will be the Liberal candidate in Vancouver-Fraserview, ending speculation over whether he would enter provincial politics after resigning in February.

He will face New Democrat candidate Gabriel Yiu in a riding where more than half of the residents are Chinese. The Green party's Jodie Emery is also in the race.

"Of course, we all know the serious matter of gang violence in this province and I'm tired of these actions causing fear in our communities," Heed said.

"We must not only be tough on gangs, but also tough on the social conditions that breed them."

Heed is being called a star candidate for the Liberals because of his reputation and experience in law enforcement.

He took over the West Vancouver Police Department in August 2007 and resigned in February. During his tenure, he was an outspoken proponent for a regional police force, which he says is needed to tackle gang crime, and updating discipline measures in the B.C. Police Act.

Before joining the West Vancouver police, Heed served as a Vancouver police officer for almost 30 years. He was shortlisted in June 2007 for the top job at the Vancouver Police Department, B.C.'s largest municipal police force, but the position went to Jim Chu.

Heed graduated from the B.C. Police Academy in 1979 and moved through the ranks of constable, detective, sergeant, inspector and superintendent with the Vancouver police.

Heed draws fire from NDP

Following Heed's announcement, NDP candidate Yiu questioned Premier Gordon Campbell's plan to deal with the escalating gang violence.

"It was only months ago that the former Liberal attorney general shot down Kash Heed's views on policing as 'out of line,' 'an unwelcome distraction' and an 'unproductive red herring,' " Yiu said in a statement released Wednesday.

"You have to wonder about a party that can flip-flop so easily on candidates and critical issues like the safety of our streets and neighbourhoods," he said.

Yiu said voters should question Heed's commitment to fighting crime after he resigned his job as police chief in West Vancouver just two years into a five-year contract.

Attorney General Wally Oppal currently represents Vancouver-Fraserview in the legislature but is running in Delta South in this election. Oppal lives in Delta South, where the current member of the legislative assembly, Liberal Val Roddick, won't be seeking re-election.