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OTTAWABill Blair could make the leap from top cop to Parliament Hill.

Both the Liberals and Conservatives have their eyes on Blair when he hangs up his badge in the coming months after a decade as chief of the Toronto Police Service, a source told the Star.

Nothing I can say other than everybody wants the guy, said the official of one political party in the hunt.

The long-serving and high-profile police chief, a polished speaker, would be a prize catch for any of the parties, especially in Toronto, which promises to be a hard-fought battleground in the fall election.

Blairs tenure as Toronto police chief ends April 25. In a recent interview with the Star, he left open the possibility of entering politics, saying he would not be done working at the end of his term.

Ive spent my life in public service. If this is not available to me, Ill find another way to serve, he told the Star.

Mark Pugash, Toronto police spokesmanperson, said Tuesday Blairs position has not changed since that interview, and the chief would not be commenting further.

Blair, a 35-year policing veteran, would bring instant name recognition and credibility in areas of law-and-order and social issues, thanks to his time as a police officer and volunteer in community organizations.

After two disastrous election showings, the Liberals have been working to bolster their slate of candidates by attracting people like former army general Andrew Leslie and CTV host Seamus ORegan.

And while the Conservatives too, reportedly, would like Blair in their camp, the chief sparked a backlash from the party in 2010 over his support for the long-gun registry, an episode that may influence Blairs political leanings.

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Liberals and Conservatives coveting Bill Blair for federal politics