Could be, but they are still tested on the book throughout their probationary period the question is really how well the training officers are vetted.
However again it’s not that terribly different than many other countries where you either get an academic degree and then practical training or if you already have a degree you are essentially given a crash course and sent into practical training as an apprentice/trainee officer for about the same time frame as the probationary period in the US.
In the UK you have 3 main paths, apprenticeship which takes about 3 years, a degree program which takes about 3 years and a degree to policing program which takes about 2 years.
The first and the last pretty much put you on the street right away the middle is a combination of academic learning and on duty training.
