No Code of Conduct is a gritty, high-octane police thriller that serves as a unique family collaboration within the action genre. Released during the twilight of the 90s direct-to-video boom, the film distinguishes itself by leaning into a hard-edged, “urban western” aesthetic.
It eschews the glossy sheen of big-budget blockbusters in favor of a raw, street-level intensity, providing a rare opportunity to see a father and son duo explore the complexities of duty, corruption, and familial legacy through the lens of a bullet-riddled crime drama.
The story follows Jake Peterson (Charlie Sheen), a dedicated but impulsive Vice detective who often plays by his own rules.
Jake’s world is complicated by his father, Bill Peterson (Martin Sheen), a veteran police veteran investigator who represents the “old guard” of the force.
Their relationship is tested when a massive heroin shipment from Mexico enters the city, sparking a violent turf war that threatens to consume the department.
Joined by his loyal partner Paul DeLucca (Mark Dacascos), Jake dives into the underworld to track down the source of the narcotics.
However, they soon discover that the line between the criminals and the law is dangerously blurred.
As they navigate a web of corruption involving a high-ranking official (Paul Gleason) and a sadistic henchman (Courtney Gains), the Petersons realize that the betrayal comes from within their own ranks.
Meredith Salenger also stars as Rebecca, Jake’s wife.
The film, which features a supporting turn by director Bret Michaels, culminates in a brutal warehouse showdown where the Petersons must set aside their differences and rely on their shared “code” to survive a gauntlet of crooked cops and hired killers.
Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen in No Code of Conduct (Photo/Millennium Films)
Legacy of No Code of Conduct
The legacy of No Code of Conduct lies primarily in its casting, marking one of the final times Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen shared the screen in a serious dramatic capacity.
It serves as a fascinating companion piece to their work in Wall Street, trading corporate greed for the visceral violence of the narcotics beat.
The film is also remembered for being the directorial debut of Poison frontman Bret Michaels, who brought a rock-and-roll energy and a surprisingly dark tone to the production.
Its legacy persists among action aficionados for the impressive martial arts choreography provided by Mark Dacascos and its unapologetically cynical view of institutional authority.
No Code of Conduct remains a definitive example of the late-90s action era—a time when practical stunts and familial chemistry could turn a standard police procedural into a memorable cult classic.
