TTC CEO Andy Byford. (JACK BOLAND/QMI Agency files)

TORONTO — Eight transit officers have been fired and five of them are facing criminal charges after a four-month investigation into bogus tickets, the city's transit commission says.

It's alleged the five charged officers submitted false provincial offences tickets to homeless people for such things as panhandlng, loitering and trespassing on transit commission property. It's alleged the officers weren't at the locations where the tickets were issued and the tickets were never served to those named on them.

"I am profoundly disappointed in today's news," transit commission CEO Andy Byford said in a release. "The public should have absolute confidence and trust in all that we do. The men and women in uniform who are responsible for the safety and security of our customers must meet a high standard of conduct, and rightly so."

The five officers charged with attempting to obstruct justice and fabricating evidence are Michael Schmidt, 44, of Barrie; Svetomir "Tony" Catic, 45, of Oakville; Jan Posthumus, 44, of Toronto; James Greenbank, 48, of Milton; and Neil Malik, 38, of Ajax.