SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A community service officer is awarded thousands of dollars after a judge determines the Syracuse Police Department failed to protect her from an unsafe work environment.

In 2003, Sonia Dotson filed a lawsuit against the department, claiming male co-workers were bringing pornographic movies and magazines to work. She also said she was being discriminated against because she is a woman and Hispanic.

Dotson's attorney says the police department began listening in on her private conversations and wrote her up on charges in an attempt to get her suspended. Her attorney says it was all retaliation for making the complaint.

Friday, a court agreed, awarding Dotson $450,000.