Retired police officers are being encouraged to return to work to interview crime suspects.
They would also join Sussex Police support staff to offer expert tactical advice to help build cases for court.
A spokesman said: "The new role could attract recently-retired detectives and uniform officers back to policing, allowing their years of training and experience to be reinvested into the force."
The force is spending £1.2 million hiring case directors to oversee investigations and help ensure more culprits are convicted.
Chief Superintendent Dave Gaylor, head of the force criminal justice department, said: "These roles free up police officers to go back on to the streets where the public want them.
"They bring expert attention to the vital hours after suspects have been arrested. Get that part right and you achieve more and quicker convictions."
Sixty case directors and "designated investigators" will be based in the force's six custody centres.
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