In light of the program broadcast this evening and the likelihood of further reportage relating to the story, NSW Police Force provides the following;
During the course of the Lindt Siege the former officer interviewed by Nine was identified for operational purposes as Sierra Three 1.
Sierra Three 1 was a sniper located in the Westpac Building.
It was the case that a shot from Sierra Three 1's rifle could not penetrate both the window glass in the Westpac building AND the window glass in the Lindt Cafe.
Breaching the Westpac glass, that is creating a hole, and then shooting through it would have taken significant time and generated noise that could have been heard by Monis.
This may have resulted in him retaliating in any number of ways such as detonating the IED that was believed to be present.
Breaching the glass would have crazed the glass, that is created a network of fine cracks, which would have compromised Sierra Three 1's ability to see to take the shot.
In any case, there was only one occasion when Monis may have been in a position where snipers could target him.
The Coroner found that between 7:38pm and 7:48pm a person believed to be Monis could be seen sitting in a window, however, the snipers in the Westpac building were not certain it was Monis.
It is noted that Sierra Three 1 said in evidence he had no doubt it was Monis but was concerned that he did not have the legal justification to take the shot.
The Coroner found that the snipers could not see whether there were any hostages immediately behind or beside the person and they were concerned that firing would endanger the hostages.
The Coroner concluded that the decision not to fire was completely reasonable.
