NEW ORLEANS - Two Xavier University police officers have been fired and the school's security head has resigned after students claimed they were pepper-sprayed on campus.

WWL reports the University announced the two unidentified officers were "permanently relieved of their duties and removed from campus." Xavier's director of public safety, Jacques S. Battiste, submitted his resignation as well.

The alleged incident happened after the school's traditional midnight breakfast ahead of final exams. The encounter was reportedly discussed in a meeting with school administrators Tuesday.

During that meeting, several students described being locked behind the gates at the end of the event after cafeteria workers complained of the mess that was left behind. Some said they tried to escape the area through other buildings when the incident happened. Some of the students said they were even pepper-sprayed.

"I want to make an apology for what you witnessed, what some of you experienced and what some of you have heard about," said Curtis Wright, the vice-president for student affairs. "This is not who we are and this is not what we are about."