George J. Matowitz was born April 24, 1882 in eastern Slovakia. He was brought to Cleveland as a child and attended Cleveland Public Schools until going to work at the age of twelve. He held a variety of jobs as a young man, including work as a streetcar motorman and serving as a fireman on a steam locomotive.
Seeking more stability and better prospects, he entered the Cleveland Police Department as a Patrolman on May 8. 1905. He first assignment was walking a beat in the old Roaring Third Precinct. He rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming a sergeant in 1910, a lieutenant in 1913, and a captain in 1918. He completed his education during this time by attending night classes, and ultimately earned a law degree.
He bcame an inspector in 1923. Eight years later he became Chief, and held the office until his death twenty years later.
Chief George J. Matowitz, in 1945 (right). Appointed May 8, 1905 (top, in 1906), Matowitz served as the city’s police chief from October 16, 1930 until he died in office on November 29, 1951.
Chief of Police Jacob Graul meets with members his command on August 15, 1927 (below). George Matowitz is seated fifth from left.
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Chief Matowitz at one point served under Cleveland's Safety Director , at a time when they both succeeded at modernizing and reforming how the CPD did business - and at the same time contended with the emergence of the .
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