FAIRPORT, N.Y. — The Fairport Police Department is teaming up with Roberts Wesleyan College for a new restorative justice initiative.

The goal is to look for alternatives to arrest for certain offenses.

The police chief says there will be a licensed mental health worker embedded in the department to help coordinate it.

Roberts Wesleyan's criminal justice department will provide research and expertise to develop the process.

The chief says the process will take time to evolve, but it will initially be for non-violent misdemeanor crimes and first-time offenders.

"With the victim's approval and addressing the victim's needs, we will ask the person to participate in our restorative justice initiative and volunteer that as a means to address the situation versus going to court,” said Fairport Police Chief Samuel Farina Jr.