Cop's family in siege cafe

Scipione

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has revealed his wife and daughter were inside the Lindt cafe at Martin Place just before Monday's siege.

A gunman burst into the cafe in the heart of the city and took 18 hostages. Two died along with the gunman after police stormed in 16 hours later in a bid to end the siege.

Scipione told Sydney radio station 2GB morning host Ray Hadley the past seven days were "up there, definitely" as among his toughest in the seven years he has held the top job and indicated he will not seek to renew his position when it expires in September next year.

He said store manager Tori Johnson - one of two victims of the siege - showed his wife and daughter around the store. They left an hour before the hostage situation began.

"They came into town with me, they were going to do a bit of Christmas shopping," he said.

He did not know they decided to slip into the Lindt shop.

"It's been a sad place, my house, because my wife Joy, reflected on this young man. She said, 'Andrew was so open and so caring, he was very very warm, friendly and he's no longer with us'. That still causes many a tear to flow."

The Age reported that Scipione has backed the performance of his officers in dealing with the siege over almost 17 hours.