NSW Police officer Tenzin Kundak pleads not guilty to stealing laundry detergent and protein bars from Dee Why Woolworths

A veteran Sydney cop has denied stealing OMO detergent and 23 protein bars from a supermarket after he was caught up in a shoplifting sting operation conducted by Northern Beaches Police.

A police officer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of shoplifting $120 worth of items from the Dee Why Woolworths supermarket in Howard Ave. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

A veteran cop caught up in a police shoplifting sting operation has denied stealing laundry detergent and protein bars from a Sydney supermarket.

Senior Constable Tenzin Kundak, of Dee Why, allegedly stole goods to the value of $120 from his local Woolworths outlet.

The 43-year-old officer, who was attached to a specialist command within NSW Police, was stopped by officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command as they conducted a special shoplifting operation at the supermarket on June 20.

Two bottles of OMO laundry detergent and 23 Noway brand protein bars were allegedly found in a backpack he was carrying, according to court documents.

Manly Local Court, where Senior Constable Tenzin Kundak pleaded not guilty, through a lawyer, on Wednesday.Picture: AAP / Monique Harmer

Sen Const Kundak, through a solicitor, pleaded not guilty in Manly Local Court on Wednesday to one count of shoplifting to the value of less than $2000.

In a statement to the media, police previously stated the serving officer had been arrested during a “shoplifting operation” being conducted at a shop in Howard Ave.

The police officer was allegedly found with two bottles of OMO laundry liquid, as well as 23 protein bars, in a backpack. Picture: Supplied

“Subsequent inquiries revealed the man was a serving senior constable attached to a specialist command,” the statement said.

On Wednesday, the case was adjourned to November 20 for a hearing date to be set.

The court heard the matter would be prosecuted by the NSW office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, rather than a NSW Police prosecutor, due to a potential conflict of interest.