By Caroline Schelle
A former Victorian policeman is considering selling his house to pay for his own legal fees so he can give "truthful testimony" at next month's inquest into the Bourke Street massacre.
Former sergeant Frank Caridi told a hearing at the Coroners Court on Friday he was planning to criticise Victoria Police's response during the inquest.
Former sergeant Frank Caridi.Credit: Jason South
"I intended to provide truthful testimony and made it clear that I would be critical of Victoria Police and in particular the Critical Incident Response Team," Mr Caridi told the court.
James Gargasoulas was jailed in February for at least 46 years for what was described by the sentencing judge as one of Australia's worst examples of mass murder.
He was tailed by police for hours before driving a stolen car down the Bourke Street Mall, killing six people and injuring many others in January 2017.
Mr Caridi is fighting a legal battle with the force for independent legal advice during the inquest and believes there is a conflict of interest between some of the firms suggested to him.
"In other words you either use one of the firms we nominate for you or you will have to fund your own representation," he said.
He said the police union told him the chances of them funding his legal team were "slim".
Outside court, Mr Caridi said someone needed to stand up for the victims and tell the truth about what happened.
"I'm not going to back down. I'll do whatever it takes," he said.
"There needs to someone to stand up for these victims. We can never ever let this happen again."
He was considering selling his house to fund his fees, he said.
The court was also told the wife of victim Matthew Si and the father of three-month-old Zachary Bryant would like to give statements at the inquest.
However, it was not yet clear whether they would give them in person or through their lawyers.
The inquest is expected to begin on November 18.
AAP