Former sergeant Frank Caridi, who tried to thwart the Bourke St massacre by trying to get specialist trained officers to arrest James Gargasoulas, has launched legal action against Victoria Police.
A statement of claim was lodged in the County Court this week, which states that Mr Caridi has not been able to work since the tragedy in January 2017 which claimed six lives and injured 27 others after Mr Gargasoulas drove his car into a busy CBD mall, ramming it into pedestrians.
The night before, Mr Gargasoulas had attempted to murder his brother by stabbing.
Mr Caridi told the Herald Sun he had been given “ridiculous excuses” as to why the critical incident response team (CIRT) did not respond to his calls to arrest Mr Gargasoulas.
READ MORE: Police push to suppress release of report on lead-up to Gargasoulas’ Bourke Street massacre
“I know the outcome would have been different and lives would have been saved,” he said.
The law enforcement agent who warned his bosses of the driver’s intent quit in 2017, and says he has been targeted and vilified for not protecting the police force “brotherhood”.
Mr Caridi quit the force after three decades, and said he is suing Victoria Police for negligence.
He claims to have nightmares and post-traumatic sense disorder which prevents him from working as a result, while adding that he “wouldn’t play the game and protect the brotherhood” so he got vilified and was targeted.
READ MORE: Police failings outlined in inquest into Gargasoulas’ Bourke St rampage
“I’m still suffering as a result,” he said.
