Toronto's former police chief will run for the Liberals in the next federal election, after winning the nomination for the riding of Scarborough Southwest.

Bill Blair won the nomination on Saturday afternoon, beating four rivals.

Blair told reporters the win was "pretty gratifying."

"We've been reaching out to Liberals in Scarborough Southwest, now we have to reach out to all the people of Scarborough Southwest," he said. "I'm hoping I can be a strong voice for them."

Former TV reporter Tim Weber was also in the race until dropping out last month. He put his support behind Blair.

The riding in the city's east end is currently held by Dan Harris for the NDP. But prior to the 2011 election, the Liberals had held Scarborough Southwest for many years. Tom Wappel was its MP from 1997 to 2008, followed by Michelle Simson who won the seat in 2008.

The Liberals came in third in the riding in 2011, but Blair said the four years since have left voters with "new choices." He also waved off a question about the NDP's recent surge in the polls.

"I'm not terribly interested in polls in June," he said

Blair was on the Toronto police force for many years before his decade-long run as its chief. Shortly after retiring earlier this year, he said he was turning to politics.

"I have served this city for nearly four decades," he said during his nomination speech on Saturday.

"And having spent my life in public service, and concluding that career, I sought to continue to serve. To continue to serve this community not only to make it a safe place, but a prosperous place, a place of inclusion, a place of respect."

During his time as police chief, Blair became embroiled in the scandal around former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, announcing at one point that he was "disappointed" in the mayor. That and other actions drew the wrath of both Rob Ford and his brother, then-councillor Doug Ford.