91原创 RCMP Insp. Amrik Virk is turning in his badge and gun for a potential seat in the B.C. Legislature.

On Thursday, Virk announced he will be the BC Liberal candidate in the Surrey-Tynehead riding.

Virk's last day at the 91原创 detachment was on Wednesday and he has taken a leave without pay from the RCMP. He will retire from the force if elected, he said.

He is joined by 91原创 City Mayor Peter Fassbender, who announced last week that he is running as a BC Liberal in the Surrey-Fleetwood riding. Fassbender will continue as mayor, but will step aside if elected.

"Running in politics has been on my mind for several years," said Virk on Thursday. "I was asked to run in 2009 but now I am at the right intersection in my life for my family, for my commitments. It's an opportunity to the right thing."

Virk said he has spent 25 years as a police officer committed to serving and protecting the public.

"This is really a continuation of that service."

Virk first joined the RCMP in 1987 and climbed the ranks to inspector in 2001. He has been active in youth and gang violence prevention in the Lower Mainland and helped set up the Integrated Gang Task Force. He is a marksman/sniper and a member of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police. He spent several years working at the Surrey detachment.

"Today's BC Liberals, led by Premier Christy Clark are the right choice to keep British Columbia on stable economic ground," said Virk. "Surrey is a growing community, and people here want a government that shares their concerns about jobs, safety and family affordability."

Virk has a background of volunteering in Surrey. He spent six years on the board of directors of the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation and is vice-chairman of the board at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

He has lived in Surrey with his wife and three daughters for the past 11 years.

Surrey-Tynehead is held by BC Liberal MLA Dave Hayar who isn't seeking re-election. Virk will run against NDP candidate Avtar Bains.

Virk's number one focus is on making B.C.'s economy viable for future generations.

"We have to have a plan that takes us into the future and that is to diversify markets and get into the global economy with South Asia," he said. "We must sell and export our resources to South Asia. The well being of B.C.'s economy is the responsible extraction of our resources. We can't  just sell to the U.S. anymore."

He doesn't mince words with his thoughts against his opposition.

"I've heard criticisms from the NDP. I haven't heard solutions. We can't get ahead by turning B.C. into one big park," he said.