George W. Gastlin born George Washington Gastlin (October 1, 1835 – October 2, 1895) was an American law enforcement officer and police captain, with the New York City Police Department, who founded the "Steamboat Squad" and served as its commander, during the 1870s and 80s.

On June 9, 1876, Gastlin was appointed as head of the "Steamboat Squad", a special police unit formed to combat River pirates and street gangs active on the New York waterfront,[1][2] and was finally made a captain on September 20, 1878.

[3] On December 31, 1883, a meeting was held at the Astor House in honor of Gastlin and his work with the "Steamboat Squad".

[2] Under his leadership, the "Steamboat Squad" drove out most of the criminal element from Corlears' Hook by the time of his retirement on July 1, 1890.

Gastlin died from Bright's disease at his Seventh Avenue home on the morning of October 2, 1895, after a two-week illness.