The officer in charge of tactics during the Sydney siege says a plan to storm the Lindt Cafe was "sound" and could have prevented hostages being killed.
But the senior officer has told the inquest into the siege that it was not up to him to convince the police commander in charge, assistant commissioner Mark Jenkins, "to do his job".
The development came as it also emerged that a warning from a sniper shortly after 2am that Man Haron Monis had ordered cafe manager Tori Johnson to his knees may not have reached police commanders because of a possible failure of radio communications.
The tactical adviser had at least twice sought approval for the direct action plan, including at 11.23pm when he presented it to Mr Jenkins and an ADF member.
The superintendent also confirmed he was never told of a conversation 20 minutes earlier between Mr Jenkins and NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione about the merits of the direct action plan.
He has told the inquest into the December 2014 siege that even as late as 2am, three minutes before six hostages escaped and Man Haron Monis fired his sawn-off shotgun for the first time, he was still in favour of police enacting the direct action plan.
"I think it's always the case that you prefer to go in on your own terms," he said, adding that the plan was "sound" and "had been tested".
"I don't think it's my role to convince the police commander to do his job," he said.
The tactical adviser said he had asked Mr Jenkins to approve the plan and had a second discussion with him about the issue at 12.15am.
He said Mr Jenkins responded: "I understand my job, just go ahead and go and do yours."
The direct action plan refers to a forced entry at a time of the police's own choosing instead of waiting for the imminent death or serious injury of a hostage.
Asked by coroner Michael Barnes whether the direct action plan could have been initiated without costing hostages' lives, the tactical adviser responded: "That's the aim".
He said that while the loss of hostages' lives could not be discounted, direct action would have given police a "tactical advantage".
The approval of the plan would have enabled officers to get in place and prepare to storm the building, but would have still needed final authorisation.
"We got through to third base," he said.
The inquest heard that a sniper called over police radio at about 2.06am to inform commanders he had seen Mr Johnson ordered to his knees.
Barrister for Mr Johnson's family, Gabrielle Bashir SC, suggested heavy radio traffic may have prevented the message getting through.
"The failure is in that the information didn't get to the other end," the tactical adviser responded.
Police stormed the cafe after Monis shot Mr Johnson at 2.13am.
The gunman was killed by police, while hostage Katrina Dawson died after being hit by police bullet fragments.
The inquest continues.
Share
