Police focused on Lindt hostage release

The first high-ranking police commander at the Lindt Cafe siege was focused on rescuing hostages by negotiating with Man Haron Monis, an inquest has heard.

"The most dangerous time is when we decide to force entry," NSW police assistant commissioner Michael Fuller on Thursday told the coronial inquest to the December 15, 2014 siege, adding that he was "trying to negotiate (the hostages) out".

Mr Fuller has for the past three days been giving evidence about the "contain and negotiate" strategy he ordered while in charge at the Martin Place scene, where more than 12 hours after he handed over control, Monis and hostages Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson died.

After pulling a gun from a blue bag and ordering the doors of the Lindt Cafe locked, Monis relayed several demands through hostages.

One was for a discussion with then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

"Talking to the prime minister was never on the table," Mr Fuller said.

Another demand, to speak to an ABC reporter, was being considered by Mr Fuller as a way to begin negotiations.

"I felt it was important to get hostages out," Mr Fuller said.

"There was hope that if he wanted something, negotiation could start."

Mr Fuller was also questioned about what information had been relayed to him, and why he didn't order an armed charge on the Lindt cafe.

Gabrielle Bashir SC, who is representing the family of Tori Johnson, asked Mr Fuller why the situation inside the cafe was described as calm when hostages had relayed concerns of being hurt.

"He wasn't running around pistol-whipping everyone," Mr Fuller said, adding that he wasn't trying to diminish the horror experienced by the hostages.

The inquest has focused on the police response to the siege, having gathered evidence from many of the witnesses held at gunpoint by Monis for 16 hours.

Evidence at the inquest is expected to resume on Monday.