AUBURN - Overall character matters more than criminal history when it comes to tattoo artists, councilors agreed Monday.

The city gave police Chief Phil Crowell a bigger role in determining if would-be tattoo artists should be allowed to practice their art in town. Police will review the artists' history, including their work in other cities and their general criminal record, before granting them a license.

"I think it provides more opportunities, and more flexibility, for the city," Crowell said.

Felons cannot be licensed to give tattoos in Auburn, according to old rules. Councilors were considering changes that would have allowed felons that have been out of jail and kept clean records for five years to qualify.

Crowell said that would have eased the restrictions for tattoo artists, but not police.

"We have had instances were people applied and had no felonies," Crowell said. "But they did have multiple assault charges on their records. We could not consider that, however."

Crowell said the changes will allow his officer to do a full background check on tattoo license applicants. That will involve checking with other communities where they have practiced before.

"If they feel like they can leave their problems behind in one community and just bring them to Auburn, that would no longer work," he said.

Councilors agreed the changes made sense.

"We don't want to penalize someone for working hard to turn their life around, but we want our police to have flexibility to act," said Councilor Bob Mennealy. "This does everything we want."